About 3-4 weeks after the hornwoms pupate they will be ready to hatch in to hawk moths. You will want to be sure you have a cage or some other equivalent set up ready. I use a small repti breeze screen cage. I have a stick across the top to tie the humming bird feeder to and I line the walls and floor with plastic (you will see why later).
The moths require the humming bird feeder in order to eat. It is best to use commercially available humming bird food from your local grocery store, hardware store or walmart. Attempting to mix your own solution could result in death of your moths.
Here is a moth drinking from the feeder.
Video of moth drinking
I also place a small potted tomato plant in the cage for them to lay their eggs on. The moths will breed by attaching their abdomens together and then the females will lay tons of eggs all over the plant and even on the cage walls and hummingbird feeder. It will be important to pick the eggs daily or they could get out of control.
The eggs will be small and green, but they are fairly sturdy and easy to collect.
Now for the dirty..........the moths are extremely messy. They fling dirt everywhere as they emerge and when flying around. They also spray all over. If not for the plastic I would have it all over my walls.
Now for our hand at an artistic hornworm photo shoot.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
The moths require the humming bird feeder in order to eat. It is best to use commercially available humming bird food from your local grocery store, hardware store or walmart. Attempting to mix your own solution could result in death of your moths.
Here is a moth drinking from the feeder.
Video of moth drinking
I also place a small potted tomato plant in the cage for them to lay their eggs on. The moths will breed by attaching their abdomens together and then the females will lay tons of eggs all over the plant and even on the cage walls and hummingbird feeder. It will be important to pick the eggs daily or they could get out of control.
The eggs will be small and green, but they are fairly sturdy and easy to collect.
Now for the dirty..........the moths are extremely messy. They fling dirt everywhere as they emerge and when flying around. They also spray all over. If not for the plastic I would have it all over my walls.
Now for our hand at an artistic hornworm photo shoot.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
