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Post by Chloe F. on Mar 13, 2019 8:37:51 GMT -8
Hello everyone. I have a female Imperial moth pupa that has been in my fridge all winter. I'm hoping to get some eggs from her this spring. I have heard that this species is much harder to raise than species like Polyphemus and Cecropia. What can I do to ensure that I raise plenty of healthy caterpillars? Also if I want her to hatch in mid to late May when would be a good time to take her out of the fridge? Any information will be appreciated!
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Post by eurytides on Mar 13, 2019 9:05:22 GMT -8
Hey Chloe, I'm sure others will chime in with advice from personal experience, but I think the golden rules are no overcrowding and adequate humidity. That's why many Saturniids do best when sleeved outside. Probably take it out of the fridge ~3 weeks ahead of time I'd guess.
Actually, I should take this opportunity to ask about the cecropia cocoon you had last year. Did you store it indoors or out? If you stored it in the fridge, when did you take it out and how many weeks before it eclosed?
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Post by Chloe F. on Mar 13, 2019 9:48:57 GMT -8
Hey Chloe, I'm sure others will chime in with advice from personal experience, but I think the golden rules are no overcrowding and adequate humidity. That's why many Saturniids do best when sleeved outside. Probably take it out of the fridge ~3 weeks ahead of time I'd guess. Actually, I should take this opportunity to ask about the cecropia cocoon you had last year. Did you store it indoors or out? If you stored it in the fridge, when did you take it out and how many weeks before it eclosed? I kept my cocoon outdoors because I found it in April so the temperature was somewhat warm. She enclosed on the 25th of May and called in a male a few days later. I'd say maybe take it out of the fridge in late April or early May. |
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