Caterpillar disease identification?

    Hello everyone,

    I recently successfully managed to produce Daphnis Nerii offsprings, however the moment the caterpillars grow to L4-5, they would turn brown, get diarrhea and slowly shrink until they die.

    The parents, which I got as eggs, did not show this symptom as all and I didn't suffer any lost. The offsprings which I initially got 70 eggs now have reduced to 30 survive caterpillars.


    I want to ask if anyone recognises this disease and a way to prevent it? I have already separated any caterpillars that show sign of diarrhea.

    Before having my nerii offsprings, a friend sent me a lot of A. Suraka eggs, they were the first to die from this strange sickness. However, my friend said the suraka parents were not sick, only the offsprings died due to inbred and weak immunity.

    • AD

    I can't tell you what exactly causes this but this is a Common kind of infection disease caterpillars get. Usually all of them die when some get it. I think they become Infected very fast but then it Takes a few days for symptoms to occur. The reason for this is probably a Lack of Hygiene. Maybe they get the disease from the hostplant. However already sick caterpillars can't be saved. Unfortunately the best Thing you can do is seperate all the caterpillars and hope some of them are not infected. And you should be very careful to not bring liquids etc. From one Box to another. The liguid is a big Source of infection. I wish your caterpillars the best.

    Best regards,

    David

    I concur with David,

    I have had similar issues with Hyalophora species, although they often die in L3, sometimes they'll go longer.

    I have used disinfectant for poultry with some success, but prevention is a better choice. I would have

    to guess that hygiene is the issue as well, typically the entire brood is a loss.

    Antherina suraka- maybe. I tried them one season and only produced a single adult, the larva weakened, died,

    from something similar to the malady being discussed, but I also live in a coastal climate with cool summers, as

    compared to what you might expect inland.

    Hi,

    Sadly I agree with the others. This is so disappointing and so typically starts to hit when the caterpillars get big.

    Wash everything down with dilute bleach. Leave out in bright sunlight UV light is very good at killing pathogens.

    Hygiene is important. Wash your hands etc.

    Divide the caterpillars into smaller batches, so as not to put all your eggs in one basket.

    Transmission can even be from female to egg and some people was the eggs in very dilute bleach, but I have never tried

    It is also possible that the pathogens are from wild insects and transmitted on the collected leaves and again these can be washed, although I have never tried that either.

    Like Kevin I have found Hyalophora especially difficult which is a real pity as they are fantastic.

    I wish you good luck and try to not be dis-heartened.

    Best wishes

    Prem

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