Smerinthus ocellata

Hi,

and wellcome

Zitat von Kzaf

I spray very lightly above the container with water (misting).

Don´t do so. ocellata don´t need it to be sprayed with water.

Zitat von Kzaf

The container is pretty small (8cm by 7cm, 3cm deep)

Maybe a little bit to small. A more higher container would be better. So you could put completely small branches inside. So the caterpillars would be able to climbe at the underside of the leaves and rest there. That is there naturally place.

Zitat von Kzaf

should I top it with netting?

No, not now. After change theire skin to L2, they would need more air and a bigger container.
Put a piece of toilettpaper at the ground. It will take the moister from air and balls.

For the first 4 days put them completely in darkness. So they would eat better.

Good luck.
Rudi

Sorry to say:

A typical mistake of a beginner! Never ever spray host plant with water!!! In a closed box, a wet environment gives rise to germs (bacteria, fungi) which readily infest the caterpillars, leading to diarrhea and, consequently, to death. If you are seriously unlucky, not a single caterpillar may survive, since such infections spread within the population like - let's say for current experience - coronaviruses among humans.

Regards,

Zitat von Kzaf

Are there any advantages with keeping them in darkness after those 4 initial days?

Young caterpillars that feed on woody trees usually try to attach themselves to the shoot tips and orient themselves to the light.
They wander in the direction of the light until they reach the end of the branches. Mostly....

In a breeding box, the feed branches are usually on the lids. On the way to the light, the caterpillars leave the food and wander around the lid.

Darkening prevents this.
After 1-3 days, the L1 hardly have this tendency.