Silkmoths and more: Pachyna subfascia

Six months, that's how long they take from hatchling to full grown caterpillar. This is something for the really patient people. But at the end, all your hard work will be rewarded with huge animals. The largest even became a little over thirteen centimeter long. It requires work sure, on the other hand they are not difficult to rear at all, not even during the winter months. Just refresh the food regularly and keep clean. They are fairly social, and stay nicely together even in the final instar. Most woody Rosaceae can serve as food plants and they will switch from one plant to the other without hesitation. I started the brood on bramble (Rubus fruticosus), then moved them to Prunus laurocerasus when they became larger (much more pleasant plant to handle) and then early spring I finished the brood on Prunus serotina. Roses will work just as well, so will apple. Young caterpillars do well in plastic containers. Older are best kept in a netted cage. The caterpillars are very variable in color, ranging from different shades of brown to a very attractive light grey. The large cocoons are spun among leaves and in the corners of the cage. The pupal stage is short, but your already knew that if you've read the previous entry on this blog.