Questions and Answers

Some of you have posed very specific questions that are probably not answered in any of the general articles on the site. I will attempt to answer but would greatly appreciate any member assistance.

Send me your responses and I will post them for all to see.

Bill,

1) I've read where it's possible to take a moth (say a female) that has just recently eclosed and put her into the refrigerator. The idea is that the weather is too cool to expect wild males to be flying and then to bring her out at a more suitable time (say several days to a week later) . Have you ever done this?

Yes, some species will survive a few extra days; cecropias can be kept alive an extra week to ten days this way. The healthier and heavier the stock, the longer it will keep. Don't freeze them; a plastic tub in the fridge crisper works fine.

Species from more northern climates that have early spring emergence patterns and much fat on their bodies keep fairly well this way for a week to ten days.

How long does a female and a male saturniid typically live if kept in an rearing cage following eclosion (~7-14 days)?

Moths will typically live for five to ten days. High temps and small bodies result in quicker deaths.

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