Overwintering of Papilio machaon

luke_93

Hello all fellows,
I'm having some machaon caterpillars at the moment, most of them mature and should start pupating within 2-3 days. I want them to overwinter. Recently I put them all out at night because it was cooler outside, but now it doesn't make sense (nights are very warm). What should I do to be sure that the pupae will not give butterflies this year? What about puting fresh upae into the fridge for a day or longer? Please help if you have any experience!! It's important for me because I'd like to release those butterflies next Spring in order to help local population and see if this will work.

Rudi

Hi Luke.

the best would be to breed them completely outside, so they will get the different between the temperatures at night and day.

Regards,
Rudi

Dracoline

I think it's little too late for breeding outside, when the caterpillars are pupating within the next 2 days.

I think it should work if you give the pupae in the fridge for a few days oder weeks until temperature outside is cold enough

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