Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Another Adult

The second adult emerged today a week after the first.


Nikon CP P4

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

The New Generation

First adult emerged today just over 3 months since the eggs were laid.



Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: Another Adult

Saturday, July 15, 2006

The Pupae

The larvae spun a thin cocoon surrounded by hazel leaves. The pupae have a dark oily appearance.



Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: First Adult

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Fully fed

All but this one have now pupated spun up among hazel leaves.


Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: Pupae

Sunday, June 25, 2006

Fourth Instars

Is this the final instar? A couple are looking close to pupating. They have certainly turned into serious eating machines (be sure to click on the last pic for a bigger version). In fact they managed to munch holes in the mesh surrounding the breeding tank and there was a mass breakout so numbers are severely reduced.





Nikon CP 995

>>>Next: Fully Fed

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Third Instars

A few days ago everything went very quiet following a frenzy of feeding. The third instars emerged shortly afterwards and are already up to 12mm long. They now have more distinct black and white markings and can look quite like a bird dropping. There is a more uniformly cream colour form as well.

The are incredibly active and thus very hard to photograph successfully.




Nikon CP 995 and P4

>>>Next: Fourth Instar

Saturday, May 20, 2006

Second instars

The larvae have undergone their first moult in the past few days. The second instar larvae are about 5mm long.



Nikon CP 995

>>>Next: Third Instar