Overwintering P.polytes andC.cyane.

Prem63 · Oct 29th 2022

Dear colleagues,

Has anyone got experience or advice about overwintering pupae, in the UK, of Papilio polytes and Cethosia cyane.

If you do, please let me know.

I am not optimistic about it.

Kind regards

Prem

luna moth · Oct 30th 2022

Hello Prem,

I do not think you can overwinter either. Certainly not Cethosia cyane. With proper host plants, Cethosia can breed year round. Cethosia cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Papilio polytes can also probably not survive. I have not dealt with them but they are also cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.

Regards,

Ethan

Prem63 · Oct 30th 2022

Hi Ethan, thank you for your reply. Yes, I agree neither will tolerate frost.

I think I will try to keep them going in the polytunnel as long as possible and then in a large cage. If they can, in one stage or the other get through to March (that is a long way off) then they can start again.

Best wishes

Prem

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Overwintering P.polytes andC.cyane.

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