Luna Moth cats

Would like to try my hand at raising Luna Moth cats.

This thread being continued over here from here-
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/716328/

Set me up Flutter Folks! I want to do this!

shared by fly_girl in other thread,

Eq, there's a sticky at the beginning of this forum and there's a part on making your own cages. Most are out of tupperware with the top cut out and cheesecloth (I used a stocking..like nylons) and it's hot glued in. You could start with that to see if you want to do it more. And then splurge on a bigger setup.

I'd rather have something with some structure to it. This is going to be outside, right? We don't have as many stray cats as we used to but we do have them and then there are all the other critters that would love to add a nice plump luna moth to their diet. The $60 is perfectly fine and the cage can double duty for a science fair project or something in the future. Gotta go read the sticky thread.

I put mine in the garage or when it's really hot, in one of my spare bedrooms. I am afraid to leave them outside...too many creepy crawlies. Like ants could get into the cage that I have, the mesh holes aren't that big, but not that small either. Can you put it inside somewhere?

Oh, in the garage? No kidding. I've got some nice big windows out there that provide bright indirect light and my garage is fully insulated and stays pretty darn cool during the summer if we keep the garage doors closed. It could be 100F outside and the garage is going to be 20 degrees cooler. The other nice thing about the garage is it has decent air circulation. Probably not a good idea for me to bring something like that inside the home. Too many fluffies in there that would probably love to add any lunas they could sink their teeth into to their diet.

Ants I tend to control around here. They cause too many problems. I leave the colonies out in the woodlands but waste out the ones that make their way into my home or garage.

That sounds perfect.

I did a little Googling, (I'm not as gifted as Terry) and couldn't find any eggs for sale. It could be because it's so late in the season. I think you'd have better luck finding some next spring, unless someone posts here.

Ants are really cool, except for fire ants and there's NOTHING cool about them! I did a paper on them once and discovered really interesting facts about them...like they stretch and yawn like we do. How cool is that?

Who was the member who ordered lunas before? Maybe we can contact him or her and ask for details.

Fire ants are nasty. But, look at what's festering under Australia right now-
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/26564/story.htm

100km = about 60 miles just for a point of reference. There are photos on the web of this colony. I think they aptly described it as something out of a B rated horror flick.

The ants are from Argentina. I believe they refer to them as an invasive species over there.

Those sound awful, I hope their behaviors don't become like the fire ants....attack any and everything.

I got my Luna eggs from DonnaB, I was hoping she would see this thread. I'll dmail her.

Umm, actually, they are decimating the countryside.

Thank you for d-mailing DonnaB, I really appreciate it.

http://mothmaster.netfirms.com/SilkmothsFORSALE.htm

?????

Wow Terry! You're amazing.....why would someone buy a black widow?

☺

Because they don't like their spouse??

*Gulp*, that's an awful thought!

Nothing I want is in stock! Boo hoo!

The "frozen" stuff had the Luna moth or eggs or whatever it is when you get it frozen. I'd say what popped into my head when I wrote that, but I'd be in trouble and I don't need that right now ☺

Tell me in a d-mail what popped into your head.

I don't understand the frozen bit.

Oh Terryr,

Great Goddess of the Google, Seeress of the Search, Deaconess of Discovery, Wanderer of the Web...

Can you help me find Hemaris Thysbe livestock? I've bought plenty of host and nectar food, specific to them. I have lovely warm Florida vacation accommodations, IPM to reduce the predation rate. I'm the best bug-squisher in 3 counties- by my own estimation.

I've actually been looking for at least 6 months and have been unable to find any. I'd love some help.

Many thanks ;-),

Maggie

Hey margaran, if it's out there to be found... she'll find it for you.

Maggie, put some pressure on me girl! ☺ I found this site http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/hthysbe.htm
and there's an e-mail address there. Maybe e-mail the guy and ask him where or if you can purchase the Hemaris Thysbe livestock. Otherwise, I can't find any information on buying some, just information about them. Sorry!

Terryr,

Thanks for trying. I've bought Luna eggs from him but he has not had any Hemaris thysbe nor has Edith at http://butterfliesetc.com

Thanks,

Maggie

Maggie, do they know of a place that does sell them? Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, usually I find the stuff on my first try. Not yours though ;(

Terryr,

No, neither did. I do thank you for looking though;-)

Maggie

I just ran across these photos and thought they were rather interesting-
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/10/15/worlds-weirdest-moths/

Vampire moth? I don't have time to search for it, Tony just got here. It sucks blood? Your blood? That's creepy!

In such a hurry, I forgot a key word ☺

This message was edited Oct 18, 2007 2:59 PM

yaa, that little guy was creepy wasn't he.

The others were beautiful.

The luna moth is beautiful! The others were all pretty cool too, except the vampire one that is. I vant to suck your blood!