15 Luna Moth Larvae at stage L3 & L4
Currently Eating: Walnut
Host Plants: Walnut, Liquidambar, Sumac - other reported host plants include Birch, Oak, Elm, Willow, Maple, Hazel and Lime however I can not speak for these as I have never tried them myself.
A truly stunning moth!
You can keep your caterpillars in a plastic tub during their early stages. You will need to clean your caterpillars daily and provide them wish fresh food. As they grow you will need to move them to a larger tub, and from L3 onwards I would recommend moving them to a net cage (or a large plastic tub with netting in place of the platic lid) . It is important that you provide fresh food and clean out their frass (poo) daily in order to have happy, healthy caterpillars.
In their larger stages they can eat a lot, to ensure you have a good supply of host plant available.
After several weeks your caterpillars should be getting ready to pupate. Once they begin spinning their cocoons do not disturb them, Allow them to build their cocoons where they choose. Allow the larvae to complete spinning its cocoons and for the cocoons to dry and harden - at this point you can carefully remove them from the cage. During the summer months you can simply place them on the bottom of another net cage and wait for them to emerge in a few weeks, however during the colder winter months (Oct-Feb) you will need to overwinter your cocoons in a dry cold environment, a shed or outbuilding can be suitable but make sure they are safe from damage or pests, or they can be stored in a tub in a fridge. The overwintering process is important so do not allow them to get warm as this can result in deformed moths, and although the moths themselves do not feed, if you get any pairings there will be no food source available for any new caterpillars.. It is important that you keep your moths in diapause until spring arrives (March) and then bring them out into a normal environment. This can be done outside, however you can also bring them indoors - just don’t put them somewhere too warm straight away! It’s best to steadily increase the temperature.
Your moths should being to emerge in April/May.
It is important that there is somewhere for them to climb and expand and dry their wings, a net cage is perfect for this.
Adult moths do not live long, and the life expectancy of an adult Luna moth is around 5-7 days.
Please respect that these are not a native British species and must not be released in to the wild.
15 Luna Moth Larvae at stage L3 & L4
Currently Eating: Walnut
Host Plants: Walnut, Liquidambar, Sumac - other reported host plants include Birch, Oak, Elm, Willow, Maple, Hazel and Lime however I can not speak for these as I have never tried them myself.
A truly stunning moth!
You can keep your caterpillars in a plastic tub during their early stages. You will need to clean your caterpillars daily and provide them wish fresh food. As they grow you will need to move them to a larger tub, and from L3 onwards I would recommend moving them to a net cage (or a large plastic tub with netting in place of the platic lid) . It is important that you provide fresh food and clean out their frass (poo) daily in order to have happy, healthy caterpillars.
In their larger stages they can eat a lot, to ensure you have a good supply of host plant available.
After several weeks your caterpillars should be getting ready to pupate. Once they begin spinning their cocoons do not disturb them, Allow them to build their cocoons where they choose. Allow the larvae to complete spinning its cocoons and for the cocoons to dry and harden - at this point you can carefully remove them from the cage. During the summer months you can simply place them on the bottom of another net cage and wait for them to emerge in a few weeks, however during the colder winter months (Oct-Feb) you will need to overwinter your cocoons in a dry cold environment, a shed or outbuilding can be suitable but make sure they are safe from damage or pests, or they can be stored in a tub in a fridge. The overwintering process is important so do not allow them to get warm as this can result in deformed moths, and although the moths themselves do not feed, if you get any pairings there will be no food source available for any new caterpillars.. It is important that you keep your moths in diapause until spring arrives (March) and then bring them out into a normal environment. This can be done outside, however you can also bring them indoors - just don’t put them somewhere too warm straight away! It’s best to steadily increase the temperature.
Your moths should being to emerge in April/May.
It is important that there is somewhere for them to climb and expand and dry their wings, a net cage is perfect for this.
Adult moths do not live long, and the life expectancy of an adult Luna moth is around 5-7 days.
Please respect that these are not a native British species and must not be released in to the wild.
