Hello,
For a study of the pollinator guild of Silene nutans species complex we would like to rear caterpillars of moths (especially of Hadena) to obtain adults to identify the species, as it seems difficult to identify them at caterpillar stage (or is it possible?) . So I am searching for a protocol and advice for rearing them. Does anyone have any experience on this?
Thank you very much in advance!
You need to have a daily source of fresh Silene leaves. Put the fresh leaves with the caterpillars in a canning jar with a wire window screen mesh, and add fresh Silene leaves daily. And it might be useful to have the Silene stem in a small container of water, to keep the leaves fresh longer. You could use a rubber one- hole stopper and a 20-25 ml erlenmeyer flask to keep your Silene moist. As a six year old, I reared some moth caterpillars that way on willow leaves.
Dear Craig,
thank you very much for your reply, but these caterpillars feed on developing seeds. It is not always possible to have enough fresh fruits (our institute is quite far from the wild populations of Silene nutans). So I wonder if there are other feeding possibilties.
With best regards
Even more interesting and very smart for those moths. Then, get ready to have your own patch of Silene plants developing seeds, maybe build an enclosure with the plants growing in a one foot wide by two feet tall by 3-4 feet long wire mesh cage, and add the caterpillars, and do some moth ranching?
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