Silkmoths and more: Nudaurelia jamesoni

Not the easiest Nudaurelia to rear, but well worth the effort. They are sensitive creatures, responding badly to nearly everything. Here's a list of things that makes them sick and/or unhappy: pollution (yes, wash those leaves, even the smallest trace of dirt is too much), low temperatures (nope, not warm. Hot! Temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius or more makes them grow fast, they start dying when day temperatures drop below 25 °C), stagnant air, too low humidity, too high humidity and condensation (and thus dry those leaves after washing), bad quality of food (refresh daily), lack of hygiëne (clean daily), overcrowding (strange for a social caterpillar). I probably forgot a few things. Needless to say that these are not suitable for newcomers. If you manage to keep them alive they will be full fed in about five weeks. Salix caprea and Salix cinerea are both well accepted by this species. Some experimenting will probably reveal more alternative food plants. That is ... if you can get fresh livestock. This African species is rarely available in Europe.