How to rear H. electra mojavensis eggs

[oslari]

Greetings, I have just arrived back from a short trip to Piñion Hills, CA and with me I have brought some Hemileuca electra mojavensis eggs with me. Does anyone have experience rearing this species? Would anyone know how to overwinter the 1st-2nd instars through the cold months of the year? I seem to have around 25 eggs in total. Thanks all, 

Ishaan

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[Crake]

You can overwinter the eggs by placing them in an enclosed plastic container with a paper towel at the bottom. Wrap the container in tin foil (to cut out light) and place the container in a refridgerator around 37*F. You should keep them inside for around 3 months before removing them.

The preferred hostplant of ssp. mojavensis is California buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum. 

I've never reared Hemileuca before, but based on its' locality, I'm guessing mojavensis is tolerant of more arid conditions. So, ventilated rearing on vased foodplant (with an occasional misting), may be the safest bet.

[oslari]

Oct 23, 2021 21:00:49 GMT -8 Crake said:

You can overwinter the eggs by placing them in an enclosed plastic container with a paper towel at the bottom. Wrap the container in tin foil (to cut out light) and place the container in a refridgerator around 37*F. You should keep them inside for around 3 months before removing them.

The preferred hostplant of ssp. mojavensis is California buckwheat, Eriogonum fasciculatum. 

I've never reared Hemileuca before, but based on its' locality, I'm guessing mojavensis is tolerant of more arid conditions. So, ventilated rearing on vased foodplant (with an occasional misting), may be the safest bet.

Oh, I didn't know the eggs overwinter. Thank you very much! I will definitely give this technique a try!