Silkmoths and more: Quentalia species Colombia

Well, look at that! It's the first member of the American Silkworms (Apatelodidae) displayed on my blog. This is one of the five most interesting species I have reared the past decade. This is not something you can get easily. Especially not from Colombia where this stock is coming from. Colombia (like several other South American countries) has very strict conservational laws which pretty much prohibit every export of live stock. Exaggerated if you ask me. Protection is good, but not if it also hinders scientists in doing their job. The only thing that is accomplished by this, is the creation of black market trade.

Rearing a Quentalia was quite experimental. There is almost no info on these species, except that most members of the genus feed on plants out the Mulberry family (Moraceae). First plant to try was Morus nigra, which turned out to be an instant hit. The young caterpillars began to eat immediately. This was the start of an extremely fast development. The total cycle from egg to moths, only takes six to seven weeks. The fastest larvae started spinning a cocoon after 21 days. The first moths appeared after a very short pupal stage of only 10 days. This species is best reared in small, well ventilated plastic containers. A temperature around 25 degrees Celsius is enough. Be advised, the young caterpillars are masters in escaping. Watch them very carefully. I don't know how they do it, but they find even the smallest holes. Some of the escapees made it to the Ficus benjamina in my kitchen en continued to feed. The growth on Ficus is much slower. It takes at least two weeks longer then on Morus. I also tested Ficus benjamina for freshly hatched caterpillars, but it was rejected. Probably these leaves are too hard to chew for first instar larvae. I will publish the moths later this week.