Gallery – Time to Breed

Time To Breed Gallery

Pictures from our present and past broods

Samia ricini male In this picture we explain an u

Samia ricini male

In this picture we explain an unbiased method to sex Saturniidae pupae, and most Lepidoptera pupae in general. In a male specimen, genitals are positioned in the 5° segment, determined by counting after the underwing segment. Conversely, in a female specimen genitals are positioned across the 4° and the 5° segment; they present a different “V-like” shape. Another recognizable feature in Saturniidae is the antennae sexual dimorphism, males usually present thicker ones.

To find more informations about pupae care, you can read our article at https://www.timetobreed.com/eggs-pupae-care/

#moth #pupae #male #morphology #anatomy #female #animals #pet #biology #development #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #saturniidae #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #silkmoth #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram

Antherina suraka male, “golden" form. Antherina

Antherina suraka male, “golden" form. Antherina suraka is a moth endemic from Madagascar. A. suraka is the only species of the genus Antherina, which is monotypic. Normally, the wing color is orange, with typical pink eyespots. We have already shown one unusual dark form in a previous post and another aberrant specimen! The one shown here is a very rare form (actually the first we see alive) and represents a possible variation of the most common coloration, the “golden” form.

#moth #wing #eyes #golden #aberration #wildlife #animals #pet #biology #development #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #saturniidae #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #silkmoth #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram

Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758) Cerura vinula is a

Cerura vinula (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cerura vinula is a moth that belongs to the Notodontidae family and can be found throughout Europe, Russia and China. This species is monovoltine and spend the winter inside his cocoon. The cocoon is very resistant, in fact it is made out of wood! The prepupal larvae munch on twigs or bark, then build their cocoon with the help of some silk and saliva, a perfect camouflage. When you rear this species, be sure to provide them lot of wooden materiales.

In Spring the adults emerge and pair easily even in a small (30x30x30cm) netted cage, better outdoors. Larvae are very easy to rear on Salix or Populus and are one of our favourite of all time, we just can't resist their pretty faces and tails. Even if they don't get very big they eat a LOT; rearing this species is really worth it. Watch out though not to handle Cerura vinula larvae too much, as they can spray formic acid!

#moth #notodontidae #wildlife #animals #pet #biology #development #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #breeding #rearing #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram

Automeris io (Fabricius, 1775), male specimen. Au

Automeris io (Fabricius, 1775), male specimen.

Automeris io, the Io moth, is an outstanding Saturniidae species. It can be found through North and Central America. It feeds on a wide variety of plants including Fagaceae, Salicaceae and Rosaceae. We reared them on Rosa sp. in the past and they did very well. Caterpillars are gregarious until last instar (L6), when they tend to spread on the hostplants. It's very important to keep them together in early instars, since trying to separate them will lead to certain losses. They don't like to be disturbed, indeed better you don’t try since these caterpillars have sharp spines that are quite hurticating! As many Hemileucinae, their caterpillar stage last a bit longer than other Saturniidae, taking at least 2 months to fully develop.

To increase the chances of pairing, put them outside or near an open window and make the female hang from the top of the cage. In this way it will be easier for the male to grab on her and mate

We will be offering this wonderful species in early spring, stock from Quebec, Canada. Stay tuned!

#moth #wing #eyes #wildlife # animals #pet #biology #species #lepidoptera #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #breeding #rearing #silkmoth #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram

Antherina suraka, female, aberrant specimen. Toda

Antherina suraka, female, aberrant specimen.

Today is a lucky day! Blessed to had this specimen emerged from our stock! Antherina suraka is a moth endemic from Madagascar. A. suraka is the only species of the genus Antherina, which is monotypic. It can be easily bred during winter on Ligustrum sp.

Normally, the wing color is orange, with typical pink eyespots. The specimen in picture shows aberrant white bands on the left forewing.

#moth #wing #aberration #eyes #wildlife # animals #pet #biology #development #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #saturniidae #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #breeding #rearing #silkmoth #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram

Eupackardia calleta (Westwood, 1853). The calleta

Eupackardia calleta (Westwood, 1853). The calleta silkmoth before and after cocoon spinning.

In the first picture a L5 mature Eupackardia calleta caterpillar is shown. In the second one the larvae has already spun the cocoon and it's settled inside, preparing for pupariation.

This Saturniidae species is distributed across southern USA countries and northern Mexico. It has one generation per year, two in some cases. Adults in the wild fly from the end of summer to the beginning of spring.

We reared a small batch of caterpillars on Ligustrum ovalifolium and we are waiting for them to emerge in late summer. We obtained them from a wild female, captured in the USA.

#moth #caterpillar #calleta #wildlife #colors # beauty #host #animals #pet #biology #development #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #saturniidae #entomology#timetobreed #metamorphosis #breeding #rearing #silkmoth #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram #usa #cocoon

Acherontia atropos, Linnaeus (1758). The death’s

Acherontia atropos, Linnaeus (1758). The death’s-head hawkmoth, is a member of the Sphingidae family (Lepidoptera, Bombycoidea). It is distributed across southern Europe and throughout Africa.

Adults, in the wild, steal honey from bee-hives. In captivity you’ll need to feed them with a honey-water 1:3 solution. Adults need to be fed by hand and to do so we use a stingless syringe in which we add the honey-water solution, making a new one every 2-3 days to avoid fermentation. We feed the adults starting on the 2nd/3rd day after emergence and, since then, every two days.

When attempting to feed them, make sure to grab the adults firmly, don’t be afraid to do so, they’re very very resistant and we assure you it’s not harming them at all. We use a thin toothpick to unfold their proboscid in the syringe. ...full article on how to rear and breed acherontia atropos at https://www.timetobreed.com/breeding-case-acherontia-atropos/

#moth #sphingidae #acherontia #atropos #feeding #behavior #wildlife #animals #pet #biology #biodiversity #species #lepidoptera #entomology #timetobreed #breeding #rearing #insects #InsectsofInstagram #MothsofInstagram #europe #africa #migration

Follow on Instagram!

Company

Help & contact

My account

Subscribe to the newsletter!