Why did this happen?

luna moth

Hi,

Yesterday, I had a unsuccessful hatch of Manducta Sexta.

I had one adult that could not exit the pupae. The other one could not dry out it’s wings properly every though it was hanging.

One adult is still living but cannot fly. Can it feed?

Also I have more adults about to hatch. What can I do to prevent this from happening?

Thanks!

kevink

That is weird, what is the source of the livestock? Manduca sexta has been bred for generations in captivity, even

before the pet trade began using the larva as feeders for reptiles.

For the animals to fail at such a late stage seems abnormal.

The living moth should be able to feed, you might have to do it by hand though.

My thoughts- don't fall for "inbreeding" explanations, the issue is elsewhere, perhaps in the food the larva

were given and the adults are showing the results. Things happen, even with wild stock. perhaps the remaining

pupa will be healthier. If the moths are indoors, or at normal insect operating temperatures, they should be

completing the cycle normally.

luna moth

I was investigating the pupae and why they weren’t hatching. The “rostrum” or tongue piece broke. I hope it’s ok. The pupae seem like they are about to hatch. I thought this species would be easy, since I have already hatched a lot this winter. I don’t know.

Jetzt mitmachen!