Hello Dominic,
Usually when they stop eating it is because they are molting. However, this sounds like it is too early for that. Sometimes caterpillars will stop and rest for some time, but it doesn't last for long.
How long has the eating been on hold?
Ethan
Hello Mark,
I am sorry to hear about this tragedy. Have you tried putting those tight caterpillar mesh nets over them? I personally would keep them inside.
Kind regards,
Ethan
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.
Yes, Nymphalis polychloros is the one thought extinct in the UK, they do look like californica.
When I feed butterflies, I've used hummingbird food with electrolytes, it's a clear premix made by Kaytee, and I have to fed them singly by hand, with the antiopa, I also used rotted peaches from our tree, I have a giant flight cage indoors, I can get inside of, it's actually made by the same company that makes the pop up cages, but it will not fit through a regular door unce unfolded. This season I'm going to make some butterfly bait, there are different recipes people use for different species. Side note- for sphinx moths, I've used the Kaytee in a small dish with fake or real flowers floating in it, and I've used that for Hyles lineata, now that I am writing this, that might work for butterflies as well, hard to get enough flowers on live plants to sustain anything.
Hummingbird food works. I've used Gatorade, honey, or sugar water depending on the context. Also fruit. Generally, it works. I've had some species like about 7-8 months as adults. Never tried feeding sphinx before.
Alles anzeigenI had to look up"neonate".
I don't think I've ever lost any larva, I've raised them twice now. I actually don't follow David's instructions and keep the ova in a small
condiment cup until they hatch, and the larva are small, so I simply take the cup outdoors, use a small sleeve and put the cup inside,
I use Salix babylonica.
This year I have two butterfly traps, very affordable traps from this website- http://www.forestry-suppliers.com ,they also sell sleeves and a lot of other supplies, and now that Bioquip has been closed, a good source of supplies, I'll be trying to trap some of the californica.
A side note, I just saw an article about a Nymphalid previously thought extinct in the U.K., I don't recall the name, a giant "something"
I've got a colecting trip already planned to a spot near Pendleton this June to hunt for Hyalophora kasloensis, a friend living in the area
told me I'd have a good chance, wish for good weather, it'll be a new area in any event.
I will try a method similar to yours this Spring. I think they have rejected my food in the past. Last year they fed for a few days but didn't last.
Oh, are you talking about the polychloros? I'd love to see them sometime. Californica bares a strong resemblance.
Good luck with the Hyalophora! Sounds very interesting.
I see, you must mean Mr. David Thompson, the gentleman who sold me the ova, there can't be that many guys in Iowa that handle Nymphalis antiopa, I may raise them again and simply release the adults, here in Lincoln county Oregon we have quite a large number of Nymphalis californica that fly nearby, and last season were using a large dead tree covered in Ivy for sunning, unfortuately, the lot is difficult for anyone ground bound to navigate, I'm guessing that at least some are tucked away eve now within the dense ivy. We are very near the ocean, within hearing and smelling distance.
Yeah, Mr. Thompson has sent me ova the past couple years. Although, for some reason the neonate larvae often die. I am determined to try it again. I used to live back in LA as a kid, and I would find the wandering mature caterpillars. I don't much anymore. I have yet to complete a whole cycle.
The californica sounds interesting. I think I know only person who has reared them. In my state (Wisconsin) we get vaualbum. However, it seems I have to keep moving north to see a decent amount. A good friend of mine who's been rearing for 50 years or so in Nebraska is still waiting to rear them. I caught a female last Spring but she refused to lay anything.
I hope you keep rearing them. Nymphalis is such a neat genus.
Alles anzeigenI raised this species last season to specifically overwinter and then release them in the spring, I fed the adults after they emerged,
then put each on in an envelope and then in the fridge, all expired.
I was told later by the breeder that the adults must go into hibernation on their own, naturally.
You are in a difficult spot, and I'm relating my experience and the advice I got from someone with experience, he told me he would
allow the butterflies to go into hibernation on their own, presumably in an outdoor flight cage and then store them in an unheated garage.
Without permission, I don't think I can name the breeder, but if you ask this question in the Forum on Insectnet, you may get other useful advice if you don't get it here.
Thanks for the information, Kevin. I am sorry to hear about your experience. That seems to mimic the experience of a breeder in Iowa. Maybe that is the same person you talked to.
You could buy a small pop up type cage that fits in fridge....
Not a bad idea but I'm not sure if I have space.
Assuming it is comparable to the States, it really depends on the climate and weather. Generally, by early to mid-April, most populations are out and beginning to court. They will feed on warm days earlier though.
What is your setup for overwintering?
Hello,
The temperature finally warmed up yesterday to produce some activity. I caught a mix of male and female antiopa. Ideally, I would like to pair them later this spring.
I currently live in a dorm, and I don't have many options for storage. I could keep them in my mesh cage and feed them, but I am worried that they will tire and age rapidly in the heat of my room. Would building a small container and keeping them overwintering in my fridge be a good idea? It is cooling off rapidly outside to below 0, so I imagine they are naturally returning to their slumber. I would wake them up sometime in a month or so.
Any ideas?
Thank you
Thank you, Leo.
Hello,
I am looking to breed H. charithonia this winter. I only have mesh cages. Is it difficult for them to pair in captivity?
Also, does anyone have experience using bee pollen to keep them alive longer?
Thank you,
Ethan
Hello,
I am wondering if anyone has experience with getting gravid Nymphalis females to lay eggs. I finally obtained the old female I was looking for, but unfortunately, she shows no interest in egg-laying. I have tried Salix, Betula nigra, and Ulmus. I have her in the same setup that worked with Polygonia comma.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I am also having the same issue with Polygonia faunus.
Thank you.
