Silkworm journey

[aleagueofherown]

I thought the other were cute challenged, I may have to think things over... Are they even moths? Just kidding
Yes!
So, I saw the brown and figured they needed help. They did and it was given and soon after they thanked me with a squirt or warm brown sh*&. Poop for those under 18.
I put them on the ground and it was like they already were getting their groove on in the cocoon. These are cute and wing challenged but do what they were genetically altered to do.

UPDATE! 1 slacker has cocooned while the other two are enjoying some fresh chow. AKA num num

Like a crime scene

 

[redhorse]

Emergency Evac and possible the NEW winner of the __gly award.

PART 1 of 2
part 2 will come later in the day and did not want to put a time since we are ALL over the place.

So, this was one of the cocoons that were spun in the first wave. I was checking for brown today and nothing, so I attempted to candle it, and did not see anything due to the cardboard backing (i did try the side but it did not show through). BUT!!!!!!!! When I put it up to my ear, I could hear some scratching (and i think it cried "help me") So I picked up my medical tweezers and went at it.

Please no comments YET-- Part 2 might clarify what is going on (yes we will have to wait). Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Be back a little later. hee hee hee

 

[aleagueofherown]

Emergency Evac and possible the NEW winner of the __gly award.

PART 1 of 2
part 2 will come later in the day and did not want to put a time since we are ALL over the place.

So, this was one of the cocoons that were spun in the first wave. I was checking for brown today and nothing, so I attempted to candle it, and did not see anything due to the cardboard backing (i did try the side but it did not show through). BUT!!!!!!!! When I put it up to my ear, I could hear some scratching (and i think it cried "help me") So I picked up my medical tweezers and went at it.

Please no comments YET-- Part 2 might clarify what is going on (yes we will have to wait). Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

Be back a little later. hee hee hee

 

[redhorse]

I wanted to wait but better continue...

Part 2 of 5--- Just kidding
Part 2 of 2
Here we go--
Since my eyes don't work well and my camera works better. I noticed the brown on the front of the body was not poop or cocoonase that hardened. It was part of the pupa skin.... WOW! Pulled out the surgical tweezers (working over time these days) and was able to clear it off, after using a drop of water to soften it up. HE crapped on my hand and container which I now know means "thank you VERY MUCH". I mean " Thank you VERY VERY MUCH!" It is a bond between silkworm/moth and handler. Which in my now professional opinion should, no, must be experienced by everyone. To get the true feeling of the warmth of expelled liquid and appreciation.

The little guy was able to flap/flutter/twitch his little wings/stubs as the male moths do. Unfortunately with all this excitement he never was able to walk. You all guessed it--- TAS = Tiny Arm Syndrome (fictional i think)

After talking to the little fella, I looked over to see ANGRY MOTH in the next container. Not happy with the end of days soon approaching or my weird since of humor. Who care------ I am just glad I was born human and not silkworm. The End!

Thanks for your patience and donations to " Disabled Silkies of the World" . Minimum 1,000 red rubies. (also fictional)

Thanks for your time too..

 

[Firewallx]

Wow you've been busy! It's funny to see that you have been squirted on. Good job removing the leftover pupal casing. I've had a few like that as well. Too bad he has stunted legs.
I had one female who still had the head capsule on after emergence. Look! I held her down and used a toothpick to push it off. She wasn't too happy with the experience, squirmed alot.

 

[redhorse]

Note: Pupal casing....
Her wings are so big..

Great Job Dr. Firewallx Now that is a : Per. Persnickety Parson's a "Sky Puppy"

 

[redhorse]

Quick update.
Eggs shave not hatched so wanted to share the lens that is added to phone (easy clips over original lens).

If you look real close at pic # 4 and 5 you can see little babies forming and are in C or U shaped inside egg.
Have a great and wonderful day... Peace!

 

[Firewallx]

So you are not putting them in the fridge? I mean, they turned dark, so you could have. Man, if they all hatch, you'll be up to your armpits in caterpillars.
The eggs you sent me aren't here, yet. Today's a holiday up here, so no mail delivery. I am definitely worried that they'll hatch before getting here.
How are your moths?

 

[redhorse]

Well, I figured the ones in the fridge would make a boring picture (here ya go along with the food) and others have been sent out. Yours were laid 3 or 4 days after the ones I have pictured (the morning they were sent).

The moths??? Well lets just say-- Frogs- Toads- Chameleons- Turtles- Tortoise- and wild lizards thank the Journey.

As for all the eggs that should hatch, Well I have 35 Veileds hatching in the next month, frogs, toads, turtle and more ------ I will leave it at that. All is good!

I can honestly say, I never have to much food. I order weekly a thousand crickets (now letting the females lay eggs for pinheads that will be used soon). Raise superworm-mealworms-dubias and started getting my fruit-fly cultures back up to speed for the babies. I am ready or getting that way.

This was a journey, where I went into it open for suggestions and everyone's personal experience---It worked PERFECT my success is the groups success. That is why I am so appreciative of everyone (almost everyone) here.

FYI-- I follow the tracking # -4 or 5 times a day. Curious how it will work- one sent arrived day early but was local.

 

[Firewallx]

The moths??? Well lets just say-- Frogs- Toads- Chameleons- Turtles- Tortoise- and wild lizards thank the Journey.

As for all the eggs that should hatch, Well I have 35 Veileds hatching in the next month, frogs, toads, turtle and more ------ I will leave it at that. All is good!

Oh, the horror!

I don't know why but I thought you'd let the moths die naturally.

I'm glad that you had a good learning experience, and I am glad that I got to help in some way.

Turtles eat moths? I didn't know.

 

[redhorse]

The moths were looking way to haggard and I was feeling sorry for them (it was a quick ending). If they looked nice like yours did, I would have kept longer.. Turtles eat everything from dirt, snails, dead fish, vegetables and will chase crickets, fish and moths.

 

[redhorse]

May 25-- 9:45 am. Canada

 

[Firewallx]

May 25-- 9:45 am. Canada

Phew! Hopefully they will be here tomorrow. Thanks for the update!

 

[redhorse]

So, I have decided to see if putting the eggs in different containers with, and without a food sources will have any effect on their hatching time.

Others may have tried but figured what the heck.
1. first batch of eggs and I removed a small amount leaving on the cardboard and also removed a few and sprinkled on the food.

We will just have to wait and see. Defiantly gives me a reason and opportunity to keep taking pictures.

The last slacker.

Eggs and close-ups

May 25

9:42 PM

Toronto, Canada

Departed

 

[Firewallx]

When they are that dark, solid color, they are in diapause and may need a period of cold temperatures to make them develop. I don't know if they would hatch without it. I guess we'll find out?
Sometimes you get eggs that do not go into diapause. They look different than this.

 

[redhorse]

Thanks for the info. I will cut a little more off the cardboard and place in refrigerator for a few days.

 

[Firewallx]

I was told once they need at least 2 - 3 months.

 

[MissSkittles]

I was told once they need at least 2 - 3 months.

I diapause my eggs at least 2 months. Have found that they don’t hatch otherwise.

 

[redhorse]

Great info!

I have put some in refrigerator (now about 2000 from earlier eggs). I will just keep watching the eggs that were not placed in diapause. Someone chimed in earlier and said they had some hatch before placing in diapause, but don't remember. Plus, scientifically (not being a scientist AT ALL) it does not make sense to genetically alter this little creature to mutate wings and not reproduction. Unless-- They needed plants to grow for their food. That is just my train of thought at the moment.

Unfortunately that is how I think and why put so much effort into a simple projects.--- Read the direction- place the food- let them hatch and grow- wait for adults- collect eggs- do it again.. To easy, which could be a good thing but not as interesting. Plus, I can get the knowledge of other members trials, errors and experience. Even doing everything perfect does not give perfect results. That is why I like it.

FYI I was a very difficult student in college and question simple things too, but opened the door to new ideas and class discussion (the advantage of being older, not wiser than the instructors.

1 thru 3 are current
4 and 5 are from day one.. not quite the same but similar. Also, working on taking clearer pictures too.

 

[redhorse]

Darn it- I should just leave them alone but find them so interesting..
So all the egg pictures will be from the same batch.
Look at the difference and there is a tiny hole on the side. some eggs are doing the donut thing while others are still filled out.
Plus, some look as if they are still going through cytokinesis or some kind of sis..
I think it is time to invest in a better zoom lens with time lapse feature.