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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:19:05 GMT -8
The first 2 to appear. Around late June. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:20:26 GMT -8
Eggs laid inside the enclosure I made. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:21:47 GMT -8
Early caterpillar stage. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:22:38 GMT -8
More caterpillars. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:24:19 GMT -8
Later stages. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:24:58 GMT -8
Late instar stage. Attachments:
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 25, 2012 12:26:03 GMT -8
Finally the cocoon. Attachments:
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ckswank
Full Member
Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Apr 26, 2012 20:16:02 GMT -8
Excellent life history photos, bugboys3!
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Post by Rev. Redmond Farrier on Apr 26, 2012 20:42:26 GMT -8
Very nice indeed! I have yet to find any cocoon of any sort that wasn't already empty.
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 27, 2012 20:12:59 GMT -8
You may actually get another chance at rearing a Promethia, since the flight isn't over yet, and another brood is on the way in July. Both Promethias and Cecropia moths rear quite easily on wild cherry. I have reared several broods of both, and have lots of perfect A1 specimens from my rearing endeavors. I make my own rearing sleeves complete with a drawstring and zipper for easy access to my stock. Next time just take the female and put her into a paper bag like a lunch bag, close the top and let her oviposit. Then cut out each section or cluster of eggs and keep them in a plastic container away from direct sunlight. After ten days you'll get lots of little larvae that will grow quickly when placed on the foodplant. Rearing sleeves are in my opinion the best way to raise these moths, so place them in the sleeve and keep an eye out so they don't run out of food. The effort is worth it because you'll have many more perfect specimens, and you won't be disturbing the wild population.
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 29, 2012 15:34:08 GMT -8
Those photos of larvae and cocoons are great bugboy. I just wanted to include a photo of a fresh pair of these beautiful moths I reared to illustrate the quality of specimens you can obtain by hand rearing them. Of course you also have the option to release them as well, further boosting the population, as long as they are indigenous to the area. You might do as I do, release most and keep a few for your collection.
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Post by bugboys3 on Apr 30, 2012 9:58:03 GMT -8
Beetlehorn, I most likely will release a fair amount of them. I have no need for that many. I am hoping to have success rearing more this year. One of my sons would like to display this at our county 4H fair this summer.
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 30, 2012 14:14:52 GMT -8
OK, going to try this again, maybe it will load up this time.  Attachments:
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Post by beetlehorn on Apr 30, 2012 14:23:30 GMT -8
BTW, this is a recently eclosed Cecropia male that I reared from wildXcaptive reared stock. I wanted to get as much red in the adults as I could, They were reared on wild plum. Attachments:
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2012 16:06:39 GMT -8
Tom,
Awesome moth---love the red. Yes, please do save a couple for me:)
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