Rescuing Butterfly Eggs

[rd84]

Hi,

Due to wasp predation we decided to rescue some large and small white eggs from our garden. We have put the plants leaves with the eggs on in a large glass fish tank - they are hatching successfully and some of the caterpillars are getting quite large . We give them fresh cabbage and nasturtium leaves each day.

However I need to know what to do next. How long is it before they will enter the cocoon stage ? - what do I need to give them for the this stage ? - any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Cheers
Paul

[Pete Eeles]

Hi Paul,

With regard to the larvae - make sure you clean the tank every other day at least - it's quite easy for mold to form around the droppings and for that to also attack the larvae, especially when they're moulting and unable to move. Putting some tissue at the bottom of the tank will help absorb moisture - and also make it easier to clean!

Both Large and Small White overwinter as pupae. These will either be formed on the tank and, less likely, on the foodplant. However, if you keep the tank indoors, with its higher temperature, you run the risk of butterflies emerging with no chance of finding a mate. So it's best to keep the tank outside somewhere (and away from direct sunlight). Once they've pupated you don't need to do anything other than wait for spring, when you can watch them emerge and release them!

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

I have had Large white pupae in my breeding cage for about 3-4 weeks and they are still alive, but made no attempts of changing at all, so could these be hibenating? The area they are in is only a few degrees warmer than outside tempreture. So should I keep them moist every so often?

[Pete Eeles]

I have had Large white pupae in my breeding cage for about 3-4 weeks and they are still alive, but made no attempts of changing at all, so could these be hibenating?

Sounds like it. When did they pupate?

The area they are in is only a few degrees warmer than outside tempreture. So should I keep them moist every so often?

Yes. Use one of those garden sprays - should do the trick.

Cheers,

- Pete

[Dave McCormick]

Sounds like it. When did they pupate?

I think sometime in mid-late July. I had about 81. The first ones that pupated, hatched in early July, the second I had that puated, are still in pupae form. A few died and one, you can see the wings clearly in and its still alive as it moved when I touched it

Yes. Use one of those garden sprays - should do the trick.

ok, will do that, I have been doing that anyway