until death do we part..... silk moth?

[little leaf]

hmmm, I am happy I have a tub full of cute cocoons, and they are already making moths but........ I read that they can stay hooked together for up to 24 hrs- some of these hooked up, and never let go- so far only one has "let go" and went off to lay her eggs - I also read how you can twist them like a lock and key to make them let go- well, these girls must have their dead bolts on ! I can not get them apart - a few have already died together- this is my first time trying this- so not to sure what I am doing wrong ~ but YAY - one did lay eggs

 

[Beautiful4Ever]

Yay! You have eggs! How long did it take from eggs till they emerged as moths? Just if you happen to know lol

 

[little leaf]

Yay! You have eggs! How long did it take from eggs till they emerged as moths? Just if you happen to know lol

from egg to worm was like a week or so, then about 30 days or so to turn to cocoon, and only less than 2 weeks from cocoon to moth- but that is really fast , I think that may be why my girls are not acting right? but yes eggs !! now I can start all over again

 

[pigglett79]

ok, so after they have been together for at least a couple hours or so what I do is pick them up, female in one hand and male in the other. I hold them by the body. Then slowly twist them in opposite directions and lightly pull. They should come apart. Some stick together stronger than others, but I just pull a little harder. Just dont be too rough or you will damage the female and she wont be able to lay eggs.

 

[pigglett79]

from egg to worm was like a week or so, then about 30 days or so to turn to cocoon, and only less than 2 weeks from cocoon to moth- but that is really fast , I think that may be why my girls are not acting right? but yes eggs !! now I can start all over again

Sounds right. Its only a couple weeks in the cocoon.

 

[laurie]

Have you been brave and fed any to the chams? They are really soft so all but the babies will jump on them.

 

[little leaf]

Have you been brave and fed any to the chams? They are really soft so all but the babies will jump on them.

oh yes- there seem to be many males- I pat them on the antenna , say "sorry little cute fuzzy moth " and boy do the chams love them- Olive about flips off her vine going after them - she has even tried to get them before I get my hand out of the way, and has stuck her tongue to my thumb nail it feels weird - she is hating her diet- but I needed to slim he down - you would be so proud of me ! she is getting back her sexy back down to 110 grams !

 

[little leaf]

ok, so after they have been together for at least a couple hours or so what I do is pick them up, female in one hand and male in the other. I hold them by the body. Then slowly twist them in opposite directions and lightly pull. They should come apart. Some stick together stronger than others, but I just pull a little harder. Just dont be too rough or you will damage the female and she wont be able to lay eggs.

ok, thanks- I will be more aggressive - lol they are so fat and squishy - you make it look so easy - and you moths are so well behaved - my worms got out, spun all over the bloody place- in bags that were by the bin, on flashlights on the wall !! it was mayhem the worms had never gotten out before - but they sure did when they wanted to spin

 

[pigglett79]

ok, thanks- I will be more aggressive - lol they are so fat and squishy - you make it look so easy - and you moths are so well behaved - my worms got out, spun all over the bloody place- in bags that were by the bin, on flashlights on the wall !! it was mayhem the worms had never gotten out before - but they sure did when they wanted to spin

Yeah, I always keep a lid on the container. I know others say you don't have to, but in my experience they get out if I don't have a lid. Congrats on the huge success, you have a ton of cocoons!

 

[laurie]

has it occurred to you that all your feeders know you like to play with them, so they play with you?

 

[little leaf]

has it occurred to you that all your feeders know you like to play with them, so they play with you?

everyone needs friends - but if I start going bar hopping with them , we will need to talk about it

 

[junglefries]

Can you do a close up macro of one of the cocoon. they look like cham eggs from the distance. just curious. may want to try this.thanx.