Pachypasa otus
Distribution:
southern Europe (from South Italy east to Turkey) and the Middle East (from Turkey to Iran and west to Egypt)
Wingspan:
large, around ten centimeter (very large females up to 12 cm)
Season:
Moths are on the wing in between June and October in one flight. The caterpillars overwinter
Food plants:
Cupressus, Juniperus, Pinus
Rearing:
Slow and not easy. Eggs hatch late summer to early autumn. Caterpillars overwinter, but do not go completely dormant and keep feeding at a slow pace. While overwintering keep in a cool but frost free room (around 10°C). Bring at room temperature in March, from then it will still take 3 to 4 months before they pupate. The pupal stage is approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Best kept in netted cages as they totally resent all moist. Never give wet branches.
Difficulties:
slow and needs to be kept dry