Hemileuca Eglanterina rearing update

[hyalophora]

Hi

I initially posted asking for opinions if artificial light is helpful in rearing eglanterina indoors.

I have been pleased with the results so far and wanted to share with the community.

I know this species as a slow grower in general (in my area) but I have been impressed with how fast and large they are growing.

I have also noticed the larvae love to move up to the tops of the cut food and bask during mid day. I assume sunlight is very important to this species.
I keep two 60 watt lights above the rearing cages on a timer set to 15 hours a day. Temp indoors is about 20c.


Rearing notes:

March 17, All larvae hatch outdoors on my balcony.

Snowberry is accepted and larvae are split up 10 per container.

March 25, Larvae Molt to L2

April 1, Larvae Molt to L3

At this point I switched foodplant to Speyeria Douglasii (hardhack)
There is far more of it around my area and it has leafed out enough to use as a host.
Larvae did not hesitate feeding on it, and seemed to prefer over snowberry.

April 7, Molt to L4

April 15 to 17, About 30 have molted to L5.

Interestingly enough, about 20% of the brood is an instar or more behind the others. I have separated these from the rest and growth has since sped up.

Steve.

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[hyalophora]

quick update,

About 30 larvae are wandering and looking for a place to pupate.
rest of the brood is almost full grown.
Average length 2 to 2.5 inches, with a few individuals almost 3 inches.
[glow=red,2,300][/glow]

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[admin]

Thanks for this report. I reared them a few years ago. I had them sleeved outdoors in my backyard on Cercocarpus. They were very slow to develop.

[hyalophora]

your welcome Clark.
I also have been closely following your documentation when you reared them last. Splitting up the early instar larvae into small batches helped alot as I have had no losses whatsoever.

This is the first time rearing eglanterina indoors on cut food for me.
I have often just gone out and collected early instar larvae and sleeved them in their natural habitat. they usually take the full summer to mature.

I am guessing that the warm constant environment being indoors, along with the 16 hours of direct light and fresh spring growth foodplant has helped sped them up.

It will be interesting to see if I can get some adults to emerge this summer.

[admin]

Well, sleeving on location in their native habitat is the best of all, if you can manage it. If you have any livestock you would like to spare, I'd like to try rearing them this year for the Butterfly Pavilion in Claremont where I will be working. PM me if you have any you can part with. Thanks.

[hyalophora]

First pupae this morning. (male)

Steve.

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[hyalophora]

I have 10 larvae left feeding, and the rest have pupated, or are about to.

Also wanted to share a better pic of one of the larva.

More news when the moths emerge.

Steve.

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[hyalophora]

I brought a few pupae indoors 2 weeks ago and the first two emerged. Overall these adults are larger than the wild caught specimens from the same location. I expect the rest of the pupae to emerge in the next few weeks.

This project has come full circle from the time I took a female Eglanterina and called in wild males 2 years ago.

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[admin]

Way to go!

[hyalophora]

Thanks,

Forgot to include the pics of the living adult...

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[admin]

Makes it all worth it.