Anybody have a good link to tell me how to overwinter my giant and black swallowtails. I read somewhere to put them in a plastic bag with a wet paper towel in the fridge. How would I know what temp I need. I am afraid I am going to kill them. The Giant SWT is still laying eggs on the citrus. I can take them in the greenhouse until they go to chrysalis and then put them in fridge.
Thanks
Overwintering Larvae
They are still laying eggs? I haven't been checking my plants, need to do that.
As for the overwintering I haven't read the part about the wet paper towel but it makes sense. I have about 5 BSTs that haven't emerged and will be putting them in the frigerator this winter. Guess I will do like the temporary Monarch live storage; put a damp sponge in with the chrysalis on top in folds of wax paper all in a plastic storage container. I think a refridgerator get about 41 at the lowest, so that would be a safe temp for them.
Oh good I guess I will do that, will they last till spring?
I haven't tried that in years past. I am going to do it this year because I have kept them in the garage before where I think it would be cold enough, and one will emerge in the dead of winter!
Internet site says they will be fine for 6 mths or so but I would make sure not to forget them in March. I also think I will set the cage outside now in hopes they will emerge before winter. Once the cold sets in I plan to put them in the frig.
I've overwintered them in a large container on a covered deck and just whatever temps come along. Some have occasionally emerged too early in the past, but I'd be afraid to put them in my refrigerator. Who has successful overwintered chrysalises that way?