Attacus atlas-cocoon conditions

Lukasiko

Hello,

I have 12 Attacus atlas cocoons from Thailand. I’m keeping them as you can see on the photo. Temperature varies between 25C during the day and 20C during the night. Humidity level is around 40% but I’m spraying them 2x a day with water. So my questions:

Are these good conditions to keep them?

Can they go into diapause If theyre wings are already black?

Thank you for any responses

David.S

Those conditions in generally sound good to me. Normally I would hang them at the ceiling of their cage. So that the hatching imagos can unfold their wings properly. But in your case this obviously wouldn't work because someone opened the cocoons. I would never do that because of the microclimate inside of the cocoon. Furthermore I've heard that they can have problems with unfolding their wings when it is to dry. I kept mine at a humidity of at least 90% so I cannot say 40% is to low or even if this is correct. But nethertheless it could be Important to know.

Best regards, David

Lukasiko

Thank you very much for response. Because of that humidity level I’m spraying them. Would take take closed Plastic container with higher humidity?

David.S

This easily causes funghi to spread. My choice is always using aery Containers with a wet towel in Front of the opening.

Best regards, David

Lukasiko

Thank you very much for the suggestion. And basing on the pictures can they go into diapause?

Saturn

Just a little remark regarding the „dark wings“: in this case this is not a sign of wing development. This is their normal color pattern from the beginning of their pupal phase.

Lukasiko

Thank you. How will I know in this species that they are developing?

Jetzt mitmachen!