I obtained eggs of Actias selene from Mark Paterson in late December 2025. The caterpillars hatched out of the eggs on 2nd January 2026.
I offered them a variety of leaves including small-leaved Rhododendron and various Laurels. They seem to be able to sense the freshness of the leaves ad move from whatever they have been feeding on to the new leaves. Therefore I am putting new leaves in each day despite them only having nibbled a tiny amount ot the existing leaves.
20/01/2026
I now have 10 larvae. A few perished while I was unexpectedly called away from home for a couple of days. Also two or three were clearly not developing at the same rate as the others. These remained tiny and eventually died.
5 of the larvae are now in the green stage, and the remainder are pre-moult or getting there.
I have moved them onto a small potted laurel plant in my office and spray the plant periodically.
28/01/2026
9 larvae
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