We have had a number of elephant hawkmoth caterpillars that we have reared over the summer. It has been great for the kids to see them munching through mounds of rosebay willowherb and changing from tiny little caterpillars to honking great caterpillars and then to cocoons. But now they have changed to the cocoon what should I do with them. At present they are on some trays of soil in a butterfly house in the cellar. Really they need to go in the garage as this should have a constant temp over the winter, but do they remain on the top of the soil, should I burrow them in soil, hand them up or what.... thanks.
tiny little caterpillars
growing a bit bigger
changing colour
posing for the camera
happy boy and caterpillar
cocoons
2 comments:
Great selection of photos....I would leave them outside somewhere away from birds,mice and flys etc...tupperware with some mesh over the top bit of soil and if you want to see them emerge bring them back indoors next April/may..
Interesting Chris and co. Well done so far. Let's hope for success in due time.
With my recent ones the caterpillars buried themselves. I used seed compost (no fertilizer or 'beasties') in some Ice cream tubs !
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