Red Spotted Purples

[Mona Miller]

http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1785
My Red Spotted Purple female that I captured in the butterfly trap is laying eggs. Right now, I have willow and black cherry in the container.

[sbannister]

I have to ask - what is a butterfly trap? I have seen several species nectaring in my garden that I have never bred - including a luna moth, American snout and others. If I could catch them I certainly would try to find appropriate host plants for them to lay eggs on and rear some cats!

BTW - I missed these forums so much, welcome back to all who participate!!!

[sbannister]

Mona - Please excuse my last post - I failed to read the next topic where you explained the "trap" which is a good idea before I replied. The part about missing the forums still stands however!

[Mona Miller]

I released the RSP this morning. She laid pale green eggs on the tip of the willow leaves.

But, seems I am collecting more flies than butterflies in the trap.

I carry a net in my car. If you can net the moth, verify that it is a female, then you can put them into a large paper bag and collect eggs. I only keep them 2-3 days and then I let them go. You can leave the eggs on the paper and just cut them out into small pieces and place them into a plastic container. Once they start hatching they disperse and they must be contained.

http://www3.islandtelecom.com/~oehlkew/zlunmoth.htm
Luna moth web page

I've found a few around buildings with bright lights.

[mommy2myboys]

wow we had a luna moth on our back porch awhile ago and i never though to try to raise the cats. they are so pretty though!

[Mona Miller]

Like I said, you have to make sure you have a female. And, whatever host tree you use, you have to have plenty of it. They eat tons. I have used Sweet Gum and Black Walnut.

[Jeans]

My sister REALLY wants to raise a Red Spotted Purple, we've never seen them fluttering around here before.
Do you know if they live in Ontario?
we have willow trees across the street that we could feed them with.

[Mona Miller]

http://www.cbif.gc.ca/spp_pages/butterf ... iral_e.php
Canada, Red Spotted Purples