Sent when ready in May or June. The chinese oak silk moth is the perfect beginners' species, and has proved to be the 'gateway' for many to engage in a lifetime of breeding. It is not hard to see why this species is so popular when the adult reaches six inches, the impressive bright green larvae nine centimetres and pairings are virtually guaranteed in a simple hanging cage. Caterpillars grow larger when fed oak, but they will also take readily to hawthorn. In winter, this species can be fed on evergreen oak and ours are currently thriving on eucalyptus gunni! If you are new to the hobby or are looking for an easy species for the classroom, give these a try!
Larval foodplants: oak (quercus), hawthorn (crataegus), eucalyptus (gunni)
Rearing: plastic boxes, cages and possibly sleeves depending on the origin of stock.
Photographs: egg x 20 magnification; 5th instar larvae after skin change; 5th instar larvae; adult male at rest.
