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Post by exoticimports on Dec 27, 2018 4:52:36 GMT -8
As a kid I stuck them in the window sill between the external and internal (opening) glass. This was indirect light. And it worked.
Lately, I put them in a plastic food storage container with holes in it, and stick it in the garage on a shelf where mice can't get to it. <-- note the last statement.
I forgot another great place to look: split rail wood fences, particularly in the corners but under the horizontal rails as well. Great for cecropia. Same idea as the picnic tables. This type of fence isn't as popular as it once was, but still common in parks.
Chuck
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Post by eurytides on Dec 27, 2018 7:00:14 GMT -8
Paul, forgot to mention I keep a wad of moist paper towel in the ziplock bag to provide moisture, changing every few weeks to prevent mold.
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Post by Paul K on Dec 27, 2018 9:25:06 GMT -8
Do you guys think outside temperature lets say -20C would kill pupa? Is it safer to keep in the fridge than balcony? Do you keep in actual fridge or freezer? I really don't want to ruin this cocoon, I searched for it so long and I will continue to look for them. I like this activity, stay outdoor that is what I like, will keep me busy this winter.
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Post by mothman27 on Dec 27, 2018 10:25:01 GMT -8
As a kid I stuck them in the window sill between the external and internal (opening) glass. This was indirect light. And it worked. Lately, I put them in a plastic food storage container with holes in it, and stick it in the garage on a shelf where mice can't get to it. <-- note the last statement. I forgot another great place to look: split rail wood fences, particularly in the corners but under the horizontal rails as well. Great for cecropia. Same idea as the picnic tables. This type of fence isn't as popular as it once was, but still common in parks. Chuck I keep them between the outer screen and the inner glass of the window. I also put a 1/2 inch screen in so when females hatch they can call males and mate through the screen.
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Post by eurytides on Dec 27, 2018 11:00:59 GMT -8
Paul, -20C is probably fine. It’s the temperature they would get in nature. However, I don’t like taking chances. I put them in the fridge, not freezer or outside.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Dec 27, 2018 11:26:03 GMT -8
Paul,
You may kill them if you put them straight into -20C from outside, you would have to do it in stages so they gradually cool down, rather than freeze very quickly.
In reality they don't need minus temperatures, keep them in the fridge veggie compartment in a sealed box so they don't dry out and they will sit there until you take them out into room temperature.
Adam.
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Post by Paul K on Dec 27, 2018 11:36:40 GMT -8
Thanks for all advice, I will keep them in the veggie compartment then. I suppose they don’t need air circulation if they are in sealed zipper bag or plastic container ?
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Post by eurytides on Dec 27, 2018 17:47:53 GMT -8
They won’t suffocate. But I do take them out about once a month to check on moisture and mold.
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Post by exoticimports on Dec 27, 2018 18:17:35 GMT -8
They must breathe even if slowly. I wouldn’t keep them in plastic bags.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Dec 27, 2018 18:26:00 GMT -8
As promised. a photograph of the Clear Tube Jar. I found these 40+ years ago when "Gas and Go's" were first becoming popular. Smokey Meat Sticks came in them. 24 sticks to a tube I believe. They were rather tasty. However, they gave me gas. (It was one way to keep people out of my office). I used a 1.5 inch hole saw to cut holes in the tube and the tube lid. One in the center of the lid and the other near the bottom of the tube. Cut 2 inch squares of Nylon Coated Fiber glass screen and hot glued the screen squares over the holes. I still own about 25 of them. I use them every season. They are great for rearing small moths and butterflies. I also use them to obtain ova, especially from Lyceanids. I also use them for keeping the pupae of Lyceanid as an emergence chamber. I find them useful for many things. I put a couple of big beetles in one, secure the lid really tight. I place in on the floor and watch my two Cats nuts trying to get at the beetles. I stopped at a Speedway (Gas & Go) here in Georgetown, Kentucky, to look for Smokey Meat Sticks, they had none, no one who worked there knew what a Smokey Meat Stick was. How times have changed things. I got me and Momma a Moon Pie and headed back home.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Dec 27, 2018 18:30:33 GMT -8
Here is another photo of the Container.
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Post by arizonamother on Jan 21, 2019 11:04:10 GMT -8
Here in Arizona, cocoon hunting is not like in the Midwest or East. There are only a few species that are ever feasible to search for cocoons. And productive searches only happen in exceptional years...
1. Very occasionally it is possible to find a few good Rothschildia cincta cocoons on Dodonaea viscosa, "hopbush" in Santa Cruz County. But most cocoons are old and parasitized or emerged. I, myself, would rather rear them and maintain captive stock.
2. Sometimes one can find Hyalophora gloveri cocoons on Ceanothus fendleri above 5000' in almost all mountain ranges in SE to NC Arizona. I have also located cocoons on Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua), Yew-leaved Willow (S.taxifolia) and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus) but always near the base of larger branches, never aerially in branches and twigs. This makes them very difficult to locate.
3. Agapema anona caterpillars spin their cocoons in spiny twig tangles and, especially, witches brooms caused by mistletoe on Condalia shrubs in desert all over southern Arizona. Sometimes these clusters, which represent years' worth of accumulation, are the size of large cantaloupes. But when that large, only a few of the outermost cocoons are good. Take Band-Aids and clean dressings to sop up the blood, though. Because you will be punctured multiple times by the sharp spines on these plants.
The issue here in southern AZ is that the hostplants, though often small and not tree-sized, are not deciduous and it takes real effort to find cocoons on leafy shrubs.
A great day here is finding 4-6 good gloveri cocoons in 5-6 hours of searching. So, when I read of you "easterners" collecting bushels of cocoons off bare maples and birches, I am envious.
But, of course, I live in the Big Moth Capital of the USA, so I suppose there are always trade offs. 😉
Michael
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Post by Paul K on Jan 21, 2019 11:17:02 GMT -8
So, when I read of you "easterners" collecting bushels of cocoons off bare maples and birches, I am envious. 😉 Michael Hahaha, only Leroy is collecting bushels of cocoons, rest of us are struggle for one or two.
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Post by mothman27 on Jan 21, 2019 11:25:33 GMT -8
A great day here is finding 4-6 good gloveri cocoons in 5-6 hours of searching. So, when I read of you "easterners" collecting bushels of cocoons off bare maples and birches, I am envious. But, of course, I live in the Big Moth Capital of the USA, so I suppose there are always trade offs. 😉 Michael Sounds like a great day of cocoon collecting to me too!
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Post by eurytides on Jan 21, 2019 14:35:37 GMT -8
Agree with Tim here. It would be great if I averaged 1 cocoon per hour (cpr). Other than for promethea, my average is pretty much 0 cpr.
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