Fernando
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Post by Fernando on Mar 27, 2011 18:48:58 GMT -8
Yeah, it's I again with yet another 'what's the most' question.
I have reared very few species in my life (E. calleta, P. cinerascens and M. sexta), so my opinion isn't worth too much, but I can say that Polythysana is quite difficult difficult to rear, with a larval stage that lasts about 5 months (one per instar) and a high death rate.
In your opinion, what's the most difficult butterfly or moth to rear?
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Post by Chris Grinter on Mar 28, 2011 5:55:41 GMT -8
Rearing any of the desert species that diapause as pupae can be very difficult! There is a nearly impossible boundary to walk between keeping it hot and dry for months - followed usually by a cold spell (but freezing??) - then a warm rain. Just how much water is almost impossible to guess correctly for each species. Getting any of the Euproserpinus or Proserpinus to emerge is a nightmare... but so easy to get to pupae!
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Post by africaone on Mar 28, 2011 6:22:33 GMT -8
the most difficult I have ever had are African Lycaenid Epitolini (Epitola and Hewitsonia) and Iridana.
I also had some very difficult experiences with myrmecophilous moth (Pyralid and noctuid) and Lycaenid (espacially Eulyphyra) including a noctuid larva that fed only on fresh eggs of Oecophylla longinoda (it took me 6 months to discover what this larvas feed ...), a living nightmare !
Thierry
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Fernando
Full Member
Learning...
Posts: 187
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Post by Fernando on Mar 30, 2011 5:05:42 GMT -8
the most difficult I have ever had are African Lycaenid Epitolini (Epitola and Hewitsonia) and Iridana. I also had some very difficult experiences with myrmecophilous moth (Pyralid and noctuid) and Lycaenid (espacially Eulyphyra) including a noctuid larva that fed only on fresh eggs of Oecophylla longinoda (it took me 6 months to discover what this larvas feed ...), a living nightmare ! Thierry Wow, can't think of something more specific!  |
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Post by bluemoth on Mar 30, 2011 13:36:55 GMT -8
I have trouble rearing butterflies who's larva go dormant during winter half grown. Checkerspots to be specific. Others with this situation are California Sister, and Lorquins Admiral that I have not gotten eggs of yet to rear.
Some silk moth larva I reared in the past suddenly die with out showing illness between third and fourth instars. They were not crowded but kept in separate cages.
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Post by kingha on Apr 17, 2011 9:44:16 GMT -8
I agree with radusho , any of the Erebia, Oeneis or Boloria that require a 2 year cycle are most difficult
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