Graellsia vs. Actias

[Pierre Zagatti]

Citheronia at aol.com wrote:

> Hi everyone!
>
> I was wondering what the distinguishing characteristics between the genus
> Graellsia and the genus Actias are. They seem very close in wing shape and
> coloration, and I was wondering what characteristics set them apart.

In the recent review of Leraut's list (1998 - Liste systematique et
synonymique
des Lepidopteres de France) Graellsia is considered as a subgenus of Actias.

Nevertheless, in a work made by Priesner (around 1975) who tested cross
electroantennograms among 50 species of Saturnids, it has been shown that
male Graellsia isabelae responded weakly to female pheromones of Actias
(luna and selene) whereas luna responded strongly to selene and vice versa.
Both true Actias probably share the same pheromone.

BTW, Graellsia did not respond to the pheromones of the 47 remaining species.

--
Pierre ZAGATTI
INRA Unite de Phytopharmacie et Mediateurs Chimiques
78026 Versailles Cedex
FRANCE
Tel: (33) 1 30 83 31 18
e-mail zagatti at versailles.inra.fr
http://www.jouy.inra.fr/papillon/