Chinese Moon Moth (Actias ningpoana) | COCOONS

A care guide for Moon Moths can be found here.

Actias ningpoana, commonly known as the Chinese moon moth, is a large species of silk-moth native to China and parts of East Asia, with a wingspan of around 12-16cm. This used to be considered a subspecies of the Indian Moon Moth, Actias selene, however its classification was elevated to species level by recent research. The moth is recognized for its pale green wings with eye-like spots and long, graceful tails extending from the hindwings, similar to other members of the genus Actias, but lacking the pink colouration typical of the tails on selene. These tails are thought to help confuse nocturnal predators, such as bats, by confusing echolocation and directing attacks away from the body. Male A. ningpoana have more angular wings, whilst those of females are more rounded but with longer tails. 

Females are somewhat larger than males, though males have more prominent, feathery antennae for detecting pheromones to locate female moths. Mating happens readily during the night, and around 200 eggs are laid by each female. Upon hatching, caterpillars begin feeding, accumulating energy reserves which they store until adulthood. The caterpillars go through five stages, changing colour from red and black in the first instar, to bright orange/red in the second, and then green in the third instar which they retain until pupation. At pupation, the caterpillar will turn a pink-brown colour and spin a papery silk cocoon. Cocoons emerge quickly in about a month or less. Adults, like most silk moths, do not feed due to their lack of functional mouthparts and live for around one week, during which their primary goal is reproduction. Female moths have been known to survive for upwards of 20 days by remaining stationary in wait for a male to find them. 

Host plants: Eucalyptus, Laurels, Birch, Alder, Willow, Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Plum, Sweet Gum. Multiple others reported.

Difficulty: Easy (1/10)

Temperature: Room temperature.

Lifecycle: up to four broods annually; cocoons can hibernate during cool/dry weather.