Unusual Swallowtail larva shot!

[Pete Eeles]

Not many will have seen this - hence this post. As the species description http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species. ... wallowtail says: "The larva has a curious bright-orange organ called an “osmeterium” that is situated behind the first segment. This organ is used as a defence mechanism, and is protruded when the larva is threatened, giving off a pungent smell similar to rotting pineapple.". So - a picture for you - taken in captivity.

Cheers,

- Pete

[m_galathea]

Cool, nice work there Pete. I have read about this but never seen it so thanks for posting. ...Did it smell of rotten pineapple?

[Pete Eeles]

Oh yes - and the smell does stick around for some time! But not as bad as a skunk for sure!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Piers]

Pete, are you rearing them on fennel? Do you intend to breed them, if so are you going to have a stab at hand pairing? (mating in a flight cage is apparently unpredictable).

Felix.

[Pete Eeles]

Pete, are you rearing them on fennel? Do you intend to breed them, if so are you going to have a stab at hand pairing? (mating in a flight cage is apparently unpredictable).

Yes - they're on fennel and I do intend to breed them through and let others have the offspring! Whenever I've reared them in the past, I've had no problem in getting them to pair quite naturally - something I discovered when I was in my early teens when I took a pair out of the cage to hand pair. By the time I returned, there were two mated pairs in the cage! They seem to need a lot of room, with foodplant in the cage, and bright sunlight. At least, that's my experience.

Cheers,

- Pete

[eccles]

The obvious question is how did you threaten it?

[Zonda]

The obvious question is how did you threaten it?

[Pete Eeles]

The obvious question is how did you threaten it?

I told it that if it didn't eat its food up, it would have to go and sit on the naughty stem.

Actually - to mimic a parasitic wasp - I just stroked its back with a soft artists' paintbrush. That seemed to do the business!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Denise]

I'm seriously considering breeding common butterflies and moths.
Perhaps we could start a thread for beginners on what basic equipment etc, needed and easy starter species.
I have been totally inspired by the Orange-tip (Oates) which unfortunately, for no apparent reason died, and now I have Spike (Poplar Hawk-moth)
It's absolutely fantastic watching these tiny creatures grow.
Can you give me any tips Pete?

Denise

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Denise,

I'm wondering if we should do this "properly" and actually "bite the bullet" and have something more substantial - possible a forum dedicated to captive-rearing. This would then provide an opportunity to discuss "responsible" rearing; I currently feel like it's an underground movement with lots of misinformed discussion, opinions and bad practices.

Futher - perhaps we should thing about reorganising the forums in general - some are definitely less-used than others!

Thoughts?

Cheers,

- Pete

[Denise]

Good idea.
I only want to start with local common species that could be released when they hatch. I know that it's wrong to release butterflies of unknown or foreign origin, and I totally understand why, diseases, unbalancing the natural balance etc, but would a few say local Gatekeepers, Speckled Wood and so on be ok?
I think that a dedicated thread on this subject would help to clarify the do's and don't's, and help us novices as well as some well meaning people to breed in a responsible manner.
I have no idea what sort of equipment would be needed, but I want to keep it as natural as possible so that the butterflies are used to the weather and therefor stand a better chance of survival, (or am I being naive?)

What do you think?

Denise

[Pete Eeles]

I have no idea what sort of equipment would be needed, but I want to keep it as natural as possible so that the butterflies are used to the weather and therefor stand a better chance of survival, (or am I being naive?)

That sounds like a fine request, Denise. We could discuss general principles - such as rearing on growing foodplant in preference to cut foodplant. But then supplement such discussions with guidance for specific species. For example, species that feed on sallow (for example) don't generally do well on cut foodplant because it wilts too quickly. We could also discuss some myths - such as keeping larvae in a sealed contained will suffocate them because of the lack of air (which is complete rubbish - the primary benefit is that it keeps cut foodplant fresh - but you need to put tissue in the container otherwise excessive moisture will induce mould). I could go on!

The immediate question is - do we need a new forum? Let me ask the "team" what they think.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Zonda]

This breeding,,,,do you have to apply for a special license? Couldn't this, if crosses are involved contaminate the resident natural population? Or am i risking a smacked leg?

[Denise]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear.

I intend to breed (or rather help along) local species to me. I would not import species from outside my own area for release. I would only take eggs or larvae from the wild if they were under threat, eg, council strimmers and such like, or building on butterfly rich land, and then I would feel that it was justified to save these precious creatures.
Should I progress any further, then I would have to take advice from Pete and co, as what to do with them. I would NEVER raise a butterfly or moth, to kill it.

As Pete has already said, much thought and debate as to the pro's and con's of this is needed.
Sorry if I have offended anyone.

Denise

[Pete Eeles]

This breeding,,,,do you have to apply for a special license? Couldn't this, if crosses are involved contaminate the resident natural population? Or am i risking a smacked leg?

You don't need a license - but there are laws (e.g. Wildlife and Countryside Act). And you're right - releasing stock of unknown origin (or of known "foreign" origin) can be detrimental to any native population.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Pete Eeles]

I intend to breed (or rather help along) local species to me. I would not import species from outside my own area for release. I would only take eggs or larvae from the wild if they were under threat, eg, council strimmers and such like, or building on butterfly rich land, and then I would feel that it was justified to save these precious creatures.
Should I progress any further, then I would have to take advice from Pete and co, as what to do with them. I would NEVER raise a butterfly or moth, to kill it.

In terms of the basics, as I've said before elsewhere ...

In terms of "basics" - for native species I'd always recommend growing foodplant, situated outdoors. Depending on the species, either in sun, shade or mixed light.

I tend to put netting over a plant pot (with the foodplant in).

If that's not possible, then I use the "sleeving" method.

Another "basic" - is that you should only rear what you can support - so it's often a case of reducing the amount of livestock rather than increasing the amount of foodplant

Cheers,

- Pete

[mrossell]

I look at this website virtually every day but rarely take part in any discussions, but I think the idea of a rearing section would be first class!!
I have reared many hundreds of various Moths and Butterflies over the years all of which are native to Britain. I would not consider rearing foreign species at all as I can’t see the sense in spending all that time and effort to kill it at the end.
It has become infectious as 3 of my friends now do the same using the same rules as me.
I have taken both eggs and caterpillars of common species i.e. Peacock & Tortoiseshell Butterflies from the wild and released them when they have emerged at the same site were I originally found them.
I see no wrong in doing this only that I am artificially boosting numbers up. (This could be a another new website section )

I feel that a section within this website would be a great Idea so that people could swap ideas on rearing etc.
So Mr Eeles go ahead

[Pete Eeles]

I've had a chat with some others and decided that the first step is to write an article on responsible rearing (and we already have a volunteer!). We can then decide if a dedicated forum is appropriate / needed.

In the meantime, if there are any specific questions, then we can use the existing forums for those.

So - watch this space!

Cheers,

- Pete