Silkmoths and more: Paradirphia fumosa

The Mexican Paradirphia fumosa is a bit more picky then other members of the genus, so don't expect them to feed upon the usual Paradirphia food plants. They tend to reject Carpinus, Quercus and relatives. They can be persuaded to accept smooth leaved Salix species, like Salix babylonica. However, if you want to play it safe, go for Fabaceae. Plants out of the Legume family seem to be their preferred food. I used Robinia pseudoacacia. Gleditsia will also work reasonably well. Once they have started to eat, you're past the most difficult part. The rest is child's play. Keep the caterpillars in relatively small, well ventilated plastic containers at an average living room temperature. Don't forget that cut Robinia leaves don't stay fresh very long, so change the food often (and clean the container while you're at it). Fumosa isn't the fastest growing species. It will take five to six weeks before they start to pupate. The pupae can overwinter fairly dry (just spray now and then to prevent them from drying out), in an unheated (but frostfree) room.