Help: Attacus Atlas Moth Caterpillars wont eat

Sometimes they do take a day or so get going. I would, however, suggest you use Wild Cherry instead of Privot. Many years ago, I reared 2 doz. A. atlas on Wild Cherry and they did great.

Sometimes, lightly misting them might help. Use only water that is the same temp. as the room.

Lastly, I'd suggest you separate them into two or more groups and put in different locations. That way, if trouble with a group happens, the others are there as back-ups.

Good luck

As Bill said, some larvae take their time! For example, I know that some saturniids like Copaxa cydippe take up to 3 days before they start feeding.

Thank you everyone... it seems there are small nibbles taken from the leaves now (big for them i suppose) and some are evidently bigger than they were.

I will try all your various advice.

Yes, it's hard to see at the moment, as they are so tiny, but i believe there is now.

It has been a while since ive kept caterpillars, so i think i was getting nervous for nothing.

Thanks

Sure, i will definately be taking photos. Ill post some photos at various stages.

Make sure they are clean at all times, and preferably sleeve them on a branch of the foodplant rather than keep them in plastic boxes, as they need good air circulation. Also it is best to keep them separated, rather than keeping more than one together in the same box/sleeve. Many Saturniid larvae cannot stand being kept in a closed box, especially in numbers. They should be separated out as soon as possible. Attacus atlas larvae are always solitary in nature (I have them wild here in my garden), and I have found similar problems with larvae of other local Saturniidae dying of disease when kept together past about 3rd instar. A. atlas larvae grow slowly at first, but once they get to 5th instar they will eat a huge amount of leaves.

Hope this helps,
Adam.

Just 3 left now... they arent very big, i dont think they will make it.

Ive been looking on the net for info on what might have caused this and i just dont know.

They just one at a time seem to leak out this greeny brown liquid and dye. It's heartbreaking. I clean them every day, keep them separated in separate containers, make sure the leaves are clean and dry and free of other insects.

Never have i had any problems with any other caterpillar before.

I wondered if the fact we have a cat (and maybe the cat hairs in the air) could cause it? (i ask because obviously the cat has been treated for fleas and that would come off in his dander. Though the caterpillars are high up out of reach of the cat.

We did have the house treated for fleas a while back, but the caterpillars were out of the house for 2 weeks afterwards and it wasnt a fleabomb, just a spray round the skirting boards, again well away from them (the flea guy said it doesnt go into the air, it's only harmful on contact).

We also use kitchen towel at the bottom of their tubs, which ive seen mentioned might cause it??

That is all the info ive found or can attribute it to, unless it's the temperature, but that is always between 20 and 25 degrees C.

If anyone has anymore insight id be greatful.