Citheronia regalis Larva
September 18, 2001

My regalis seem to be taking somewhat longer to pupate than the 4-5 days you predicted, but I have encountered this in previous years as well. I am using your 'paper towel in pail method' for the most part, except for three in a pail of dirt.

The pre-pupae void quite a volume of fluid after I place in pail, and I have been removing them carefully for a few moments to change the paper toweling. I am keeping the pails covered and in my cellar which is about 65 deg F.

In past years I have had the pre-pupal losses exactly in keeping with writings of Collins, Tuskes et al. The photo attached for you to post is a fully grown larva on Hickory. I also raised a few from the same lot for the first time this year on Sweetgum.

Don

Slightly warmer conditions (70-75) will hasten pupation. Moving pupae or prepupal larval ("voided") to drier storage conditions is a good idea, but I usually wait until after pupation, and then only after the pupae have hardened for several days.

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