Anyone raise Chinese Oak Silkmoths?
- Thread starter Twitchet
- Start date
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
Oh, thanks for trying, I forgot about you asking, I had a look at that forum, so much stuff on there- fantastic,
I didn't think they'd be as hairy as they are but as I say I'm really enjoying them, so exciting when they hatched, Would like to get some Atticus atlas but not sure about adult housing. The same seller has some moon moths coming up so might get a few too.
Thanks for trying to help
I didn't think they'd be as hairy as they are but as I say I'm really enjoying them, so exciting when they hatched, Would like to get some Atticus atlas but not sure about adult housing. The same seller has some moon moths coming up so might get a few too.
Thanks for trying to help
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
Just for you @AZChamFan the chinese oaks are growing and feeding! they are huge- 32 big ones.
Plus a photo of Xylotrupes gideoen borneo( i think!) 40 grams !
Plus a photo of Xylotrupes gideoen borneo( i think!) 40 grams !
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
I'm afraid I dabble on and off- These I've had ticking over for 1 year and they still won't pupate- I did the mecs last then had a gap, but the force is strong and I get seduced every so often by the thought of raising beetles!
As you say you have to be organised, I mentioned Daniel and his beetle breeding- his setup is awesome and complex, don't think I'll ever get to that stage. The cats are big aren't they.
As you say you have to be organised, I mentioned Daniel and his beetle breeding- his setup is awesome and complex, don't think I'll ever get to that stage. The cats are big aren't they.
Just for you @AZChamFan the chinese oaks are growing and feeding! they are huge- 32 big ones.
Plus a photo of Xylotrupes gideoen borneo( i think!) 40 grams !
Oh my gosh they are GORGEOUS!!!! I didn't realize they would be that big and beautiful!!! Thank you so much for posting a pic. You will have to update as they continue to develop. And the beetle larva is also fantastic. So big and it's not even a huge species. Imagine the larva of a Goliath beetle or a Megasoma!!!
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
So here's a Chinese oak silk worm larvae update for you @AZChamFan
I have 8 that have now made cocoons, some wrapped themselves up others just spun a silk scarf on the walls, thankfully the silk is more like synthetic fibre,surprisingly tough and thick so they peel off easily, you can see how shiny the silk looks, almost like food wrap,
now I need to check my caresheets and see what I do next.
The moths have no mouthparts so at least I don't have that to work out.
I have 8 that have now made cocoons, some wrapped themselves up others just spun a silk scarf on the walls, thankfully the silk is more like synthetic fibre,surprisingly tough and thick so they peel off easily, you can see how shiny the silk looks, almost like food wrap,
now I need to check my caresheets and see what I do next.
The moths have no mouthparts so at least I don't have that to work out.
This is a little late but just wanted to say thanks for the update! Those look wonderful!! They remind me of the cecropia moth cocoons I used to collect as a child! Can't wait to see them hatch. Have you found out whether they need a cool dormancy period? What are you planning to do with the moths? Could be the start of a nice Saturniidae collection!
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
Another 8 or so cocooned now- I think it's something like only 2-3 weeks until emerging!
I know they are crossed with a sub species or something- a Himalayan oak? .
wiki= "This is one of the major producers of Tussar silk. It was of commercial importance during the Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era, about 200 BC to 250 AD. More recently, the hybridogenic species Antheraea × proylei is being bred for tussah silk production. It originated from a natural hybrid between male A. pernyi and A. roylei females, F1 females of which were backcrossed to A. pernyi males. ."
I know they are crossed with a sub species or something- a Himalayan oak? .
wiki= "This is one of the major producers of Tussar silk. It was of commercial importance during the Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era, about 200 BC to 250 AD. More recently, the hybridogenic species Antheraea × proylei is being bred for tussah silk production. It originated from a natural hybrid between male A. pernyi and A. roylei females, F1 females of which were backcrossed to A. pernyi males. ."
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
Update on the Chinese oaks, out of 30 I got 26 cocoons which I'm very pleased about, the last few couldn't seem to complete the process so went on their way to moth heaven,
This is a sheet of silk one made,must be 10" square. Now I need to string them up on twigs like an Easter tree and wait, these have been very interesting to watch and care for, they were spectacular larvae. Will post - post emerging!
What do you think @AZChamFan ?
This is a sheet of silk one made,must be 10" square. Now I need to string them up on twigs like an Easter tree and wait, these have been very interesting to watch and care for, they were spectacular larvae. Will post - post emerging!
What do you think @AZChamFan ?
Wow. That is a crazy amount of silk! I think that one who did the big sheet couldn't make up its mind!!! Or else it was doing it's best to make you a pillow case!! Very exciting - can't wait for them to hatch! You sure did a great job raising them. Perhaps Atlas moths next?!!!
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
Beautiful and amazing! Thanks soo much for sharing!
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
You're welcome, they've been very nice to raise, always wanted to raise some moths and I'm looking forward to the next step, whether a hungry parsons will help me out with them I don't know.
Matt Vanilla Gorilla
Chameleon Enthusiast
What do you think of the hairs and chameleon safety? Green is my favorite color so I love these beautiful worms! Even if the worms are not safe, I bet the moths would be if they were to be raised on chameleon safe foods as you mentioned! I can't wait to see pictures of the moths!
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
Thanks, well I might get some atlas, they'd be great wouldn't they, i think a parsons would meet its match with one of them though.
The silk is really odd, feels very thick and almost synthetic, it is strange it made the sheet, a few just didn't get going with the cocoons, must of been one of them,
I quite miss my big green babies munching through buckets of oak now
Stay tuned for the next instalment
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
I didn't end up feeding them, to be on the safe side, they did have hairs but they weren't super hairy by any means, I handled them occasionally And i didn't get any skin irritations, I fed mine on oak but they ate sweet chestnut and I think they would of eaten apple too, I would look at them and think what a tasty dinner it would make for a parsons though.
We can't get hornworms here so I wish I could get something similar that was Cham safe, they certainly were easy compared to silkworms too!
Twitchet
Chameleon Enthusiast
The final instalment on the Chinese oaks, all 26 emerged and are flapping around rather ungainly and mating and laying millions of eggs, I don't know if I will carry on the next generation as they require quite a bit of care and I never did feed any, I didn't want to have a parsons choking on one, I only fed to my garbage disposal unit Steve the horned frog, he seems to like them,
but it's been really interest watching and keeping them and glad I did it, I've also kept a few back to set and mount.
From this
To this, my first moth to emerge. The wing spots were silver,( what do you think @AZChamFan almost like titanium pearl coloured?)
yet the eyes spots were see through, very beautiful.
Eggs! There's even more now @Remkon let me know if you want some
but it's been really interest watching and keeping them and glad I did it, I've also kept a few back to set and mount.
From this
To this, my first moth to emerge. The wing spots were silver,( what do you think @AZChamFan almost like titanium pearl coloured?)
yet the eyes spots were see through, very beautiful.
Eggs! There's even more now @Remkon let me know if you want some
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JoeDigiorgio
Avid Member
Send some to the US. Did you ever feed any to your chameleon? Wondering if these are worth trying to get over here. I haven't seen them for sale over here, been looking.
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