Inachis io foodplant

[Fernando]

Hi there!

A friend of mine told me he can send me eggs of this species during July, so I'm looking for foodplants for them in advance. He told me they would feed on Urtica dioica, but I'm not sure if we have that species in my country.

Do you know about alternative foodplants for this species? We have plenty of Urtica urens around here, do you think it would work as an alternative foodplant?

[Deleted]

I have reared this species for many years now, inachis io will take Urtica dioica or Urtica urens and if none of these are available hops will provide a good substitute.

[mooks666]

Agree with dunc here but didnt realise they might take hops l thought only commas ate that..
Well ye learn something new every day..
Not far from me dunc lm in sheffield

[Deleted]

up to the mid 1970's inachis io was a very rare sight around Pontefract and Barnsley now it is the most common of the late summer butterflies around here, far more so than aglais urticae.

[mooks666]

Very true m8 to be honest lve more comma larvae that any of the others had them on my nettles in the front garden but as for alias urticae lve hardly seen any which is a shame .
Think holly blues have done really well lve seen courting pairs in October last year..

[Deleted]

yes 2012 was a good year for c argiolus, urticae picked up last year, I had good numbers on the buddlea in my garden, no v cardui, very few v atalanta, plenty of p c album and found a great local spot for e tages, dingy skipper.

[Fernando]

There isn't any hops in my surroundings, but as I mentioned, there's plenty of U. urens.

Thanks a lot for your help!