Limenitis populi over winter.

I have only tried to overwinter Antiopa nymphalis, and killed all 20. I had them in a large indoor flight cage, fed them once and then put them

in the fridge.

I asked the breeder how he did it, and apparently the butterflies need to enter hibernation naturally, this didn't sound all that easy.

My best guess is an outdoor flight cage with some kind of "filing" sysyem, and a way for the butterflies to feed, with Nymphalids, at least

we get lucky in that thet will feed on bait, or rotted fruit, let them feed, let the weather cool, and the butterflies would find places to hide for

for the winter. Maybe it is easier than I was thinking, now that I'm typing this out, it does sound kind of straight forward. The breeder said

he overwinters them in an unheated garage, as for those warm days where they might emerge, perhaps skipping those isn't a big deal.

Hello Simon,

you should try to overwinter the larvae in the hibernation boxes in a way that mimics their natural environment. This means keeping them outdoors, ideally in the shade and exposed to the elements. It is important that the hibernation boxes do not remain dry for long periods. It is therefore a good idea to spray them at least once a week. In spring, once the food plant has leaves, spray the hibernation box several times a day so that the caterpillar can take in water and leave the hibernation box.

Best wishes
Georg

Hi Simon,

Try to pot a few small poplar trees (also for breeding, as the leaves wither quickly on cut branches put into water) . If you have a hibernaculum, I know it works to pin it onto the stem or a branch of the potted tree. Leave it outside as already suggested, they need the exposure to the elements to not dry out or awake prematurely, and to drink rain water in the spring for gaining size again. Maybe keep some nylon stocking around it to hide it from pests like truebugs and birds.

Best of luck,

Constantin

Btw: I didn´t know L. populi flies in GB?

I have overwintered Astercampa clyton successfully which has similar needs. I just put them into a plastic container with paper towel. Then, I put them into a larger plastic container with a little water at the bottom. They need humidity or they will for sure desiccate. I would recommend putting them into a refrigerator.