Breeding Parnassius advice

[chaulkey]

Hi all! 

I'm here to look for some advice on how I might be successful in rearing (and maybe even breeding) Parnassius butterflies. I'll be working specifically with Parnassius smintheus, so I know there's not a lot of specific information out there, but I'm looking in general for ideas on where to start (e.g. what equipment you use(d) - like lighting, temperature control; what food sourced might be commercially available - P. smintheus feeds on Sedum lanceolatum primarily in the region I'm collecting eggs from, but maybe there are other species that would be worth trying; best practices for avoiding infection; etc.). Some images would help too if you have any to share!

Thanks so much!

- Andrew

[luehdorf]

Hi Andrew,
There should definitely be some breeding reports available somewhere. I have read several but all of them were in German. So far what I remember from many reports what’s most important and crucial is:

1. Overwintering of the eggs: this seems to be most difficult. The eggs can’t be too dry and also not too wet otherwise they develop mould immediately. Some of the breeders made quite elaborate containers, with water reservoir, air holes, net and paper etc so that there was almost same humidity and then out these containers in the fridge at 4-6 degrees celcius.

2. Larvae hatch in March and then you need to feed them fresh food plant everyday. I read from a German breeder, he put every caterpillar in a seperately tiny jar, cleaned it everyday and changed food everyday, he did that for Parnassius davidovy with about 50 eggs, and yielded 40 adult butterflies spending about 5-6 hours everyday taking care of them.

3. The caterpillars need to have a lot of light, and warmth, and they have to be very clean, otherwise they get sick so easily. That’s why the German breeder changed the jars everyday.

I think it’s also definitely possible to read them on a foodplant that is growing without taking care of every single caterpillar seperately, but that’s so far what I could find out.
I am myself very interested in the topic, especially I couldn’t find out yet, if I catch a female how could I make her lay eggs? Any good suggestions here?

[Adam Cotton]

I seem to remember the larvae need to "sunbathe" every day. They come out to rest on top of the plants and their dark colour absorbs sunlight.

Adam.

[chaulkey]

Thanks so much for the information thus far. I have collected ~540 eggs from a number of females along ridge tops in the Kananaskis region of Alberta.

luehdorf: The method I use for collecting eggs (which was established well before I started working with these critters), is to collect mated females (ensuring presence of sphragis) then store them singly in large glassine envelopes. Females will lay eggs within the envelope which are then easily transferred to other containers (or clean envelopes) for storage. You can then either let the females go, or keep them depending on your preference.

Do you think you might be able to point me in the direction of the reports you mentioned?

With regards to the sunbathing, do you have any suggestions as to what type of light source would be most appropriate and what a typical setup would look like?

Thank you again!

Andrew

[LEPMAN]

Feb 27, 2019 7:48:24 GMT -8 chaulkey said:

Thanks so much for the information thus far. I have collected ~540 eggs from a number of females along ridge tops in the Kananaskis region of Alberta.

luehdorf: The method I use for collecting eggs (which was established well before I started working with these critters), is to collect mated females (ensuring presence of sphragis) then store them singly in large glassine envelopes. Females will lay eggs within the envelope which are then easily transferred to other containers (or clean envelopes) for storage. You can then either let the females go, or keep them depending on your preference.

Do you think you might be able to point me in the direction of the reports you mentioned?

With regards to the sunbathing, do you have any suggestions as to what type of light source would be most appropriate and what a typical setup would look like?

Thank you again!

Andrew

How are you getting Parnassius In February?!!!

[joee30]

I would suggest to get in contact with Todd Stout. He is in Utah, and also has a website called www.raisingbutterflies.org. He has some pics on how to raise local Parnassius and swallowtails.

[luehdorf]

The reports that i read before are all in German. I still have them, not online but back at home in Germany, but I can look it up next time back home and then translate some important stuff for you.

But I think what joee30 found is probably already enough information, this guy looks like he knows what he does.

Still I will look up the reports, and let’s collect more information for everyone here in this thread.

The glassine envelopes where you would put the females in, how big are they? And would you take out the female feed her with a sugar water mix and then put her back in the envelope for more eggs? And how many days can you do that?

I am already looking forward to your breeding experience, perhaps you can share some photos with us, photos would be great!