Thanks so much for the info. Def'ly photos and vids if I can catch some good moments. I think I feel new passions coming on. @karen paul , when she emerges, should I leave her to climb her way out and leave from an open window (above the basket) or take her back out to the garden?
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I love that the forum has such a variety of experts, on roses, clematis, ponds, tomatoes, acers, housing and now moths. What a resource!
If possible, take her back outside, ideally so that she can climb upwards into the hedge, females try to conserve as much energy as possible so won't do much flying in my experience and will just flutter to a resting place waiting for the males to arrive. All the types of caterpillar that I've raised have eaten privet leaves but the adult moths have preferred to lay eggs on buddleia so if you have either of those she may lay her eggs in your garden I had a wonderful surprise this morning, I have had a male and female of 2 types of moth which have been refusing to hatch (they went into diapause/hibernation) for months! I hadn't checked them for a couple of days but the female of each kind have hatched! Must be because it's extra humid with the rain They are a Suraka silkmoth and a Giant Atlas moth. Beautiful!
You may find yourself converted into a Lepidopterist! (Someone who studies butterflies and moths) Deaths head hawk moths are one of my favourites, they squeak! So cute.
Meet my current pupae I suspect that the Suraka at the top has deceased because it is so black and lightweight but so was the other that hatched. (This species barely wiggles) And the bigger one is a male Atlas moth. I hope they hatch in time to mate with the females but it seems a bit pot luck.
"All the types of caterpillar that I've raised have eaten privet leaves
but the adult moths have preferred to lay eggs on buddleia so if you
have either of those she may lay her eggs in your garden."
I have both and so do gardens around me, so hopefully they will be happy. It's all so interesting. I feel that I had a misspent youth - not messing about with tadpoles and butterflies. Time to catch up, I think. Thanks for all your insights.
I have her in a wicker basket on towel, and I've been lightly misting twice a day but no change yet. Perhaps a few more feathery bits sticking out. She's very wriggly. I hope I can catch the emergence and I hope her wings will be well formed. I'm a bit worried about her drying out in this heat.
Weve currently got a cinnebar moth and a white erimine pupating, both emerge next year though. Like Karen I fear the ermine may have died though as its looking a little shrivelled
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