Cecropia foodplant/rearing help

Assuming these are not gregarious it is always best to separate all the larvae, preferably 1 per branch from late 2nd instar onwards, or at least 2-3 per branch at first then singly before 4th instar. Ideally each branch should be kept in a separate cage to minimize spread of pathogens by air, so it would be better to make several mesh cages rather than one very big one (I guess it depends on your definition of 'big'). At least mesh cages are much less stressful to larvae than being kept in plastic boxes where airflow is minimal. That's the main cause of disease.

Actually often disease is caused by bacteria which naturally occur on/in the larvae in very small quantities taking over and multiplying rapdly because the larval immune system is knocked out by poor breeding conditions. Once the bacterial load inside a larva increases significantly it is irreversible and bacteria will spread to other larvae in the same area very rapidly, so a major preventative method is to minimise stress ensuring that the larval immune system can keep bacteria under control. As soon as any larva shows initial signs of sickness it should be removed and destroyed, and all the other larvae on the same branch should be carefully moved to new branches (1 per branch so they cannot contaminate each other subsequently) as the old branch will be heavily contaminated anywhere the infected larva walked, and any other larvae walking over the same stalk/leaf will immediately be contaminated.

Adam.

I reared them twice on Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) in sleeves. I have found cocoons on Sugar Maple, Willows, Ash and Sycamore.

If you did that here in Thailand you would need to wait at least 6 months or more before using leaves as food for larvae because of the systemic insecticides mixed in the soil. It takes at least that long for the insecticides to lose their potency.

Adam.

You should ask that question to the nursery or HI Store prior to purchasing. I believe both Lowe's and Home Depot use a water base insecticide both on the trees/Shrubbery/plants and in the soil of most trees and scrubs.

I have lived here in Central Kentucky for almost 20 years. I am a known entomologist/Lepidopterist and I have been given access to many privately owned natural areas. One of my best locations for sleeve rearing on trees is a wooded fence line about 1/2 mile long. And the farmers who own the property are excellent watch dogs and are inquisitive.

Whenever they see me on their property they will stop at talk. Some of them attend the same church that I do.

I have also learned a great deal about farming. Corn, Soybeans, Milo, Sun Flowers and even Cotton (I lived in Mississippi in the 1990's where Cotton is King.)

I also have contacts with the State Agriculture people. Just knowing these people will gain you access to some great areas.

Of course my great personality and stunning good looks help.