Distribution:

from India and Pakistan, east to China and northern Vietnam

Wingspan:

in between 12 and 14 cm

Season:

one flight from (late) October into November. In captivity sometimes much later (January to February), requires very cool night temperatures (below 10°C) to emerge

Food plants:

Betula pendula (best), also Salix caprea and more reluctantly Prunus padus

Rearing:

Not difficult. Take the eggs out of the fridge as soon as the birch or willows are starting to regrow.  Caterpillars are slow growing for a Rinaca. It can take 7 to 8 weeks before they pupate. The cocoons oversummer and the moths appear as soon as the nights become cooler. Keep in well ventilated plastic containers when young and move to a netted cage when they've reached the fourth instar. Keep at room temperature. The eggs overwinter.

Difficulties:

first instar can be a bit reluctant to start to feed