Silkmoths and more: Eupackardia calleta

Pretty? Sure. Easy? Not necessarily, although many people will say they are. Like for the related Attacus species, it depends very much of your rearing conditions whether you will be successful or not. For some among you they are like rearing Samia ricini and will seem pretty much indestructible. For others they are almost impossible to keep alive. Once they get sick, the entire brood will rapidly perish. One thing is sure: do not overcrowd. Especially when they've reached fourth instar, they become really intolerant for company. The second thing to keep in mind is not to rear them too warm. A normal living room temperature is fine, but try not to go higher then twenty five degrees Celsius and make sure there is a good cooling of at night. This species has a broad taste and will accept (among others) Ligustrum, Fraxinus, Prunus, Salix, Rhus and Schinus. They grow relatively fast and start spinning their cocoons after five to six weeks.