Hornworm breeding

[midnight_962002]

has anyone actually gotten the moths to fly? Every time I order several cups of hornworms I always let a few pupate. But, each time they emerge they can't fly.

This last week I tried yet again another method and got them to emerge as the moth relativley quickly and expand their wings. But, I haven't seen them do anything but walk around with a shrot flap of the wing here or there.

Has anyone even tried?

Ernie

 

[invictusrules]

My moths usually rest for a day or two before flying. They've got mesh to climb up as soon they emerge, and they tend to stay on those vertical surfaces. (If they can't hang freely right away to let their wings expand and straighten, they'll be handicapped. < spoken from experience >)

There are several studies that mention using tomato plants to stimulate flight and mating and oviposition. That's why I pin leaves to the outside of the mesh - to get the smell circulating. The moths mainly fly at night, late, so if you have lights on, they may think it's still daytime.

I'm wondering if they might not fly when they're all the same sex. That's just a guess - no proof aside from the fact that I don't see a lot of flying unless I've got more than one or two out.

What are your temperatures? I saw a lot more enthusiasm from my moths last summer when the temps were in the mid to upper 70's. Now, the house is upper 60's. It's also taking longer for the pupae to emerge. Sigh. Waiting on a batch that pupated at the end of November. Maybe I need to order some more to alternate the broods...

 

[ewstokes]

how often do they lay eggs?

 

[invictusrules]

The moths don't live long - maybe 2 weeks. When conditions are right, they'll lay 100-200 eggs during that time. Right now, my conditions are not right, and I only got 5 fertile eggs out of the whole cycle. Sigh. Hurry up, spring!

 

[midnight_962002]

Yeah,

that is where I am at because I don't have a plant that they like. It is freezing here so that means no tomato plants anywhere. Trying to locate something that will work.

Ernie

 

[invictusrules]

I tried a greenhouse-grown tomato plant, but no luck. When I harvested the leaf, I realized it didn't have that distinctive smell that tomato leaves usually have. Needless to say, the moths weren't exactly enthusiastic, either. I also tried bell pepper, green tomato, and potato. Still no luck. This summer, I'm going to try grinding up/freezing some fresh tomato leaves to see if the oils will survive to "inspire."

 

[midnight_962002]

I have heard that eggplant leaves work. I wonder if the inside of the skin of an eggplant will work? i have an order of 6 cups and I am probably going to give it a try.

Ernie

 

[scalesandtales]

hey you try ordering the eggs they are way cheaper than buying adults http://www.greatlakeshornworm.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=58

 

[midnight_962002]

They are way cheaper. But, I don't like to wait for them to grow. I usually feed a cup a day off. The difference is that if I can breed them I can start a cycle where I always have many of them available.

ernie