Oak Eggar Eggs? (1 Viewer)

[Lorne]

Just going to bed last night when a female Oak Eggar flew into the kitchen, I popped it in a container so that I could photo it in the morning. During the night it laid about 30 eggs, Skinner lists several plants that they like but I don’t see just dropping the eggs onto some brambles, I was wondering if I could keep and raise them? Does anyone have any suggestions about this?
Regards Lorne

 

[harry eales]

Just going to bed last night when a female Oak Eggar flew into the kitchen, I popped it in a container so that I could photo it in the morning. During the night it laid about 30 eggs, Skinner lists several plants that they like but I don’t see just dropping the eggs onto some brambles, I was wondering if I could keep and raise them? Does anyone have any suggestions about this?
Regards Lorne

Hello Lorne,

Many moths will lay in captivity quite freely, but often the eggs are infertile.

They should hatch within a couple of weeks if viable, the larvae feed well on Bramble. They will also hibernate in the larval stage. For this they need to be put into large plant pot or better still a bucket with drainage holes. Fill the container 3/4 full of Sphagnum Moss, place the larvae on top and feed Bramble leaves until they go down to hibernate. Cover the top with a net covering so rain can enter.

Leave them outside during the winter, they need the dampness for them to survive. In the spring they will come up and start feeding again, you will have to check on the container daily from February onwards, once you see the first one, start feeding leaves again. Be warned they eat a lot. lol.

I've done this many times, but then I'm a sucker for the larger moorland moths. Don't mollycoddle them, they will probably die. Depending on which Oak Eggar species you have, they may hibernate over a second winter.

Edit, I see you live way down south, so with luck you'll have Oak Eggars next year.

Harry

 

[Lorne]

Thank you for that info Harry, I just have to wait and see if they are fertile then. What a superb looking moth that female was, I have seen some large insects powering past and suspect them to be the males but this is possibly the first female that I have seen.
Regards Lorne

 

[Nerine]

What a superb looking moth that female was,

Hi Lorne

Yes the oak eggars are absolutely beautiful and what a thrill for you to have the female fly into your house. Your "large insects" are no doubt the males who have been attracted by the pheromone scent emitted by the female.
I had the luck, 2 years ago, when a male oak eggar flew through my patio doors into the house and a couple of days later I found a female in the garden resting in rosemary. Last year I didn't see any oak eggars but this year a female flew into my moth trap (first year I have a trap!) and I was overjoyed! It is quite likely I have seen males flying around the garden too but I couldn't see them well enough to be sure.

I do hope the eggs are fertile.

Harry, if you read this, long time no "speak" and I hope you're well.

Cheers

Nerine

 

[Lorne]

Saterday 8th update; three weeks and I had decided they were infertile, but this morning they are all hatching! I have them feeding on bramble leaves now and they look superb.
Lorne

 

[harry eales]

Saterday 8th update; three weeks and I had decided they were infertile, but this morning they are all hatching! I have them feeding on bramble leaves now and they look superb.
Lorne

Hello Lorne,

It's probably the lower than usual temperatures that delayed hatching, I'm glad they've hatched, don't forget the tips I gave in a previous post about hibernating them, next year you should have a good emergence.
Best wishes,

Harry