Nut-tree Tussock Moth

Another Adult

2006-07-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

The second adult emerged today a week after the first.

Nikon CP P4

The New Generation

2006-07-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

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

Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: Another Adult

The Pupae

2006-07-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

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

Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: First Adult

Fully fed

2006-07-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

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

Nikon CP P4

>>>Next: Pupae

Fourth Instars

2006-06-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

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

Third Instars

2006-06-10T09:51:00.000-07:00

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

Second instars

2006-05-20T04:15:00.000-07:00

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

The Hatchlings

2006-04-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

On cue they started to hatch yesterday with the rest hatching today. Seriously tiny larvae at this stage but lively and hard to control at times!

Nikon CP 995

>>>Next: Second Instar

Eggs maturing

2006-04-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

The eggs that with any luck are fertile are starting to change colour now almost two weeks after they were laid. A few, including some moved or damaged when handling the pot, remain the same colour and presumably will not hatch.

Nikon CP 995

>>>Next: Hatchlings

A batch of eggs

2006-04-20T05:24:00.000-07:00

c.90 eggs were laid in a single batch on 15 April 2006.

Nikon CP 995

>>>Next: Mature Eggs

The Mother

2006-04-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is the female moth taken at a 125W MV light in a Skinner Trap at Leckford in Hampshire.

Nikon Coolpix P4

Nikon Coolpix 995

Nikon Coolpix 995

>>>Next: The Eggs