Website hosting: |
|
Hi All,
This newsletter covers updates from August 17, to September 16, 2008.
*******************************
The following species are expected to be available this fall. Prices (anticipated) quoted are in US dollars. I won't know for sure what I will have until mid October when the US crop is done being harvested. I am looking for a source of Citheronia regalis pupae and of Callosamia angulifera cocoons. I am also looking for quality overwintering livestock of any North American species not listed below. I buy in bulk at wholesale prices with you shipping to my US shipping partner in New Hampshire. She inspects, repacks and ships to US and overseas destinations from New Hampshire.
Actias luna $4.00; definitely
Antheraea polyphemus $4.50; definitely
Automeris io $4.00; definitely
Callosamia angulifera $6.00; not currently available
Callosamia promethea $4.00; definitely
Callosamia securifera $6.00; not currently available
Citheronia regalis $16.00/pair; not currently available, maybe
Citheronia sepulcralis $16.00/pair; expected
Dryocampa rubicunda $2.50
Eacles imperialis $14.00/pair; expected
Hyalophora cecropia $6.00; definitely
Hyalophora columbia $6.00; definitely
Hyalophora euryalus $7.20; definitely
Rothschildia cincta $6.00; expected
Samia cynthia $4.50; definitely
Butterflies anticipated:
Eurytides marcellus $4.50, zebra swallowtail, expected
Papilio polyxenes asterius $4.50, black swallowtail, expected
Pterourus glaucus $4.25, tiger swallowtail, expected
Pterourus troilus $4.25, spicebush swallowtail, expected
Sphingidae:
Hemaris diffinis snowberry clearwing, $3.50, definitely
Pachysphinx modesta $4.00, expected
Smerinthus cerisyi $3.00, expected
Smerinthus jamaicensis $3.00, expected
Some species, especially the butterflies, are still in larva stage and although a good harvest of pupae is expected, there are things that can still go wrong.
I have already advised Canadian WLSS members of what was available from PEI and most of those orders have been shipped or will be shipped in the next week or two.
Please send now, by email, with your name and complete shipping address in body of email, your tentative order (species and quantities). Do not send money until I have confirmed your order. I will begin sending email confirmations in mid October when I know for sure what is available. Any additions will be posted in the newsletter. There will be an $8.00 shipping and handling fee for most US destinations.
Shipping and handling will be higher for orders going overseas. Several big supply houses in Europe have contacted me. I wish to first serve WLSS members so let me know as soon as possible what you would like me to reserve for you.
Website hosting: |
|
*******************************
Jesse Donavan has sent me the following image of a mosaic gynandromorph of Automeris io from southern New Jersey.
I have published the outcome of the Antheraea polyphemus "frozen larvae" experience of Alan Lee in the Members' Articles section.
*******************************
Email: Frank Meister of Germany has written to me requesting assistance for an upcoming puplication. I encourage you to assist with this project by emailing with your information. Here is the format I have just used to submit foodplant listings:
Here on PEI I rear or have found the following Saturniidae on the following host plants:
Actias luna
Betula papyrifera
Fagus grandifolia
Rhus typhina
Anisota virginiensis
Betula papyrifera
Quercus robur
Antheraea polyphemus
Acer rubrum
Betula papyrifera
Prunus pensylvanica
Quercus rubra
Quercus robur
Dryocampa rubicunda
Acer rubrum
Hyalophora cecropia
Alnus
Prunus pensylvanica
Pyrus malus
Sambucus canadensis
Hyalophora columbia
Larix laricina
Prunus pensylvanica
++++++++++++++++++++
Other North American species, not from PEI, that I have reared here:
Automeris io
Prunus pensylvanica
Salix sp
Automeris pamina
Quercus robur
Automeris zephyria
Quercus robur
Callosamia promethea
Prunus pensylvanica
Citheronia regalis
Rhus typhina
Citheronia splendens sinaloensis
Rhus typhina
Eacles imperialis
Quercus robur
Eacles imperialis pini
Pinus strobus
Eupackardia calleta
Prunus pensylvanica
Hemileuca eglanterina
Prunus pensylvanica limited success
Hyalophora euryalus
Prunus pensylvanica
Hyalophora columbia gloveri
Prunus pensylvanica limited success
Rothschildia lebeau forbesi
Prunus pensylvanica
Samia cynthia
Prunus pensylvanica
Saturnia walterorum
Rhus typhina
Later, when I hear back from you, I will report on species reared in New Jersey where I grew up.
Frank Meister writes, "Dear Bill,
"I am working on a "New World Checklist“, dealing with Saturniidae and their foodplants. The first volume, covers only with the neotropical and neararctic Saturniidae (North, Central and South America). The result should be a list of all "American" species and their respective foodplants.
"Concerning this project I request your help. I know that you have bred many species. If possible, can you can send me your experiences with foodplants for the American species.
"I need the scientific name of the species, e.g., Automeris denticulata and the scientific name of the foodplant, e.g. Quercus turneri.
"Thank you. I hope for your cooperation. Please send this mail on all other breeders!"
*******************************
Mike Buczkowski is offering eggs (13 for $12.00 plus $1.00 postage) of what I am pretty sure are Antheraea frithi javanensis. They might be Antheraea caypta. Contact Bill Oehlke for details.
*******************************
Rich Ashcraft is offering eggs of Antherina suraka. They brood continuously. Contact Bill Oehlke for details. Foodplants on site.
*******************************
Pupae of Brahmaea certhia are available at $8.00/pupa now (August 14) plus $8.00 S & H. They should hatch in 2-3 weeks. This species broods continuously. Send me an email for details on availability.
*******************************
Robert Vuattoux has sent an image of a very interesting Samia specimen from southwestern China. The moth, which seems an aberration, has "rudimentary" hindwing tails.
Reinhard Foerster of Misiones Province, Argentina, has just sent very nice image of Pseudautomeris luteata.
I have begun to harvest cocoons of Actias luna, Antheraea polyphemus, Hyalophora cecropia and Hyalophora columbia. Dryocampa rubicunda have pupated (August 17 and before) or will shortly pupate from several different batches. Smerinthus cerisyi have pupated. Pachysphinx modesta, Darapsa choerilus, Paonias excaecata have pupated or are pupating. Ceratomia undulosa, Sphinx drupiferarum, Smerinthus jamaicensis and Anisota virginiensis are still feeding.
I am ready to begin taking orders for diapausing pupae October 1, but I may not know for sure about butterfly pupae until mid October. I should have an idea of inventory and availabily at that time. Citheronia regalis, Citheronia sepulcralis, Eacles imperialis, Hyalophora euryalus, Callosamia promethea, Callosamia angulifera, Automeris io, Samia cynthia, as well as a number of butterfly species are expected.
I am always in need of more quality cecropia cocoons.
Heraclides cresphontes are also a possibility as are Callosamia securifera.
*******************************
Sighting Reports
I am very interested in receiving sighting reports (date and specific location, including county/parish and state and/or province) for Saturniidae and Sphingidae throughout the year. The reports will be posted in newsletters and will also be used to update the state files and flight times.
Joan Rickert has sent beautiful images of Hemaris thysbe, Pachsysphinx modesta, Paonias excaecata, Paonias myops and Amphion floridensis from Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin.
Thanks to Ian Miller and Ryan Saint Laurent for updates from Wisconsin (Eau Claire County), Pennsylvania (Franklin County) and Rhode Island.
*******************************
Sphingidae Express
I am very interested in receiving electronic images of Sphingidae adults/larvae from your area. Please always send data with image(s): date; location: (city/town, county/parish, state/province, country).
Many new county thumbnail pictoral checklists have been created recently.
Smerinthus cerisyi larvae have pupated as of July 31. Darapsa choerilus are starting to pupate August 1-3. I have Paonias excaecata, Pachysphinx modesta, Sphinx drupiferarum and Smerinthus jamacensis sleeved out, and also have a small number of Ceratomia undulosa larvae that I am rearing indoors in tubs due to lack of access of sleevable lilac.
Beaurtiful images of "red" fourth and fifth instar Eumorpha achemon larvae have just been posted to that species file courtesy of Kim Smith, Essex County, Massachusetts.
*******************************
Arctiidae Art
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Catocala Capers
Owen Holt has sent some data and images for California.
Tom Middaugh has sent very nice images of spread Catocala mira and Catocala luciana recto and verso from Worthington, Nobles County, Minnesota.
Tom has also recently sent recto and verso images of Catocala nebulosa, also from Worthington.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Caterpillars Too!, a North American butterfly website:
*******************************
A new Coleoptera (Beetles) page is being created.
This page will be resricted to those members of WLSS who have an interest in Coleoptera (Beetles) and who are willing to have their email addresses posted there for correspondence, limited to the Coleoptera family.
This list will not be available through any search engines and will not be linked by me from any of my websites. Instead, those members who register (no charge) will be directed to an unlisted URL.
Members whose names appear on this list have agreed to use the contact information solely for the purpose of furthering their interests in Coleoptera.
Members have also agreed that they will neither post this list/page nor divulge its contents nor share its contents with others.
To have your name and email contact information posted on the Coleoptera page, send email to Bill Oehlke, indicating you agree to terms above.
N.B. This is note a Coleoptera site, just a listing of contact info for WLSS members with an interest in Coleoptera.
There are also quite a few members interested in Sphingidae, so I will post special Sphingidae page under same conditions. I am also considering an African Sphingidae section if there is sufficient interest and those who can supply high quality images.
A Catocala page will also be posted.
If you wish to have your name, location, interests and email posted on the Coleoptera, Sphingidae or Catocala contacts page, please let me know.
*******************************
Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.