Silkmoths and more: Molippa flavodiosiana

Nope, they are not photoshopped. The caterpillars of Molippa flavodiosiana really look this neongreen. Add a good size (around nine centimeter) to the mix and you get a quite spectacular final instar. Like Molippa nibasa, which I displayed earlier this year, this species does very well on Robinia pseudoacacia. The growth is relatively fast. Depending on the temperature, they are full grow within four to five weeks. Summer temperatures are a must. I wouldn't go below 25°C during the day or below 15°C at night. It's not going to kill them immediately, but it will slow down the growth and will make them more vulnerable for diseases. Larvae like these are best kept in well ventilated plastic containers. Start with a small container and switch to larger ones while they grow, so that the container remains adapted to the size and number of the animals you're rearing. The pupal stage will be variable. Moths can hatch over a longer period of time, depending on temperature and humidity, but they will not entirely diapauze.