Silk Moth Hatchig and Mating

[ajs]

So I decided to separate some worms (~10-12 maybe) into their own little cocoon setups that i could manage and have noticed at least one cocoon!

What now if I want to try to mate them?

Do I wait a couple more days to ensure good cocoons and take the cocoons out and put them together?

Cocoon setup (and bonus green banana bin):

 

[MissSkittles]

Just put all the cocoons together in a small tote lined with wax paper and when they emerge, they will get right to it. Males flap their wings a lot and females don’t and are plumper. I cover mated pairs with a small paper cup so they aren’t disturbed and the eggs laid are better contained.

 

[kinyonga]

They remain in cocoons until they hatch as moths...2 or 3 weeks. You should be able to mate the moths...they only live about a week.. They don't fly or eat. Fertile eggs turn from a pale color to a darker color. If the eggs don't hatch within 3 or so weeks, they wont likely hatch until the next year.

 

[kinyonga]

I can't remember how to sex the moths.

 

[Rst_Cham]

I can't remember how to sex the moths.

The females have larger bodies and smaller wings then the males so they are pretty easy to sex and pair up.
I currently have one lonely male moth right now, he's adorably sad.

 

[Deejay]

Interesting thread. My original silkworms have turned into moths and are mating and laying eggs. I have 5 moths and about 6 cocoons left. I just put the cocoons in a box and let the moths do their thing. I see eggs in the corner that are white. It is pretty amazing. Good luck with yours.

 

[MissSkittles]

The females have larger bodies and smaller wings then the males so they are pretty easy to sex and pair up.
I currently have one lonely male moth right now, he's adorably sad.

Aww...poor little lonely guy. I always have more males than females and feel so bad for them, fluttering their wings wanting to mate and no available girls. So I end their lonely frustrated existence by offering them up to my little cham masters. I apologize to them of course and thank them for their sacrifice.

 

[kinyonga]

The females have larger bodies and smaller wings then the males so they are pretty easy to sex and pair up.
I currently have one lonely male moth right now, he's adorably sad.

He has more than one reason to be sad... His life is almost over and he can't find a mate to carry on his line...and he can't fly. Poor thing.