the Io Moths I raised last summer. Had just about given up that they would eclose. Had 1 male and 1 female
female
Had 2 eclose today
female 2
male is much smaller than the female
male 2
Donna.....your pics are great! I think that may be what my DH photographed a while back. What do you think since you have seen them up close?
Congrats Donna, beautiful job! What do they use as hostplant please?
So pretty!
it sure is Shelia
Kim I used Azalea which is what I found the cats on
Great photos of those Io moths Donna!!!
Lily...they use Wisteria here in south Texas.
According to BAMONA they use a variety of plants including hackberry (Celtis), willow (Salix), mesquite (Prosopis), redbud (Cercis), currant (Ribes), blackberry (Rubus), and pear (Pyrus).
As for Donna and myself having raised them - we now know you can add azalea and wisteria to that. Nice to have a caterpillar with such eclectic tastes! ROLF :o)
Just remember the caterpillars have urticating hairs.
Kim if they mate and lay eggs I will send you some. Not going to push my luck. I managed to raise them without getting stung once so if there are more I will put them out in the Azalea I found them on the first time under the big Oak lol
Thanks for the id of the bad photo Donna! Guess that it could have been from a neighbor's Azaleas that grow in that area.
Donna I appreciate your offer. We do get frost here begins late Nov. Although, I've many of the hostplants such as salix, azaleas and others as listed above by Txpurdypink. Thanks all for sharing the info. I just love those moths/butterflies.
Txpurdypink? :o) Some bunny needs to borrow my granny glasses. Thanks for the laugh...I needed that!!! ROLF!!!
~ Cat
ps...hmmm that name is growing on me. Next time I need a new screenname I will keep that in mind.
LOL, pardon moi. Cat. when you do change, please keep me posted. ROFL here too.
ROFL Cat I didn't even catch that. Good one Kim
...am thinking Lily must've been looking at that male Io moth photo and thinking hmm...that sure is a purty pink!!! ROLF...oops...ROFL :o)
~ Cat
I couldn't help it. I was in love all over again. LOL
I don't know Cat...I think if it were me I would try
TX PuddyCat..... Maybe Sylvester wouldn't mind. LOL!
I have 12 Io moths I'm raising too. I found them on redbud. Is mating them like mating for Lunas? I know how to get those eggs.
Thanks,
Maggie
yes it is the same Maggie
Thanks Donna.:-)
Hi this is my first encounter with these beauties and I have about 25 of them on a baby live oak tree here in Jacksonville florida. If I put them in an enclosure could I add some hibiscus (i heard they like them) in so I dont need to continue chopping on my oak?
Donna C
How cool is that!!! Congrats Donna C. I do want to find those in the garden. lol. But, I'll be careful, promise.
Yikes...had no idea they ate oak too. I must be careful when I'm working in my yard - I have two massive oak trees in my front yard.
~ Cat
Lilli And Cat
They are neat but do be careful as they pack a punch or so I have heard. I will be moving mine tomorrow so if you here yelling from florida you will know becaus ethere is a bunch of them out there. I read they eat azaleas, hibiscus, wisteria, and oaks but couldnt tell you anymore as of yet Im still reading...
Donna C
Donna C.
If I hear your yelling from Florida, you in turn will hear me yelling from Alabama, 'cuz I'm going to try to climb my big tall oak in search of those 'lil catepillars. lol. Just kidding. I've some wisterias trained within reach, and willow, hibiscus and such. Maybe I would better be looking at those first. LOL.
Kim they are easier to find at night with a flash light
DonnaB,
How do you find them better @ night W/ a flashlight? Or are you talking about the moths rather than the cats?
Thanks,
Maggie
Ohh boys!!! DonnaB, neighbors already seen me out with my camera at night to take pics. of nightblooming flowers. Now, they'll get a feast watching me out there with flashlight under the wisteria bushes. Let's me think about this one first. lol.
At the meantime, I've eight Gulf Frits. pupated, and hoping to see them eclose anyday now. I'm beside myself anticipating these little one to take flight.
yea Kim
Maggie the moth cats come out more and are easier to find at night than in the day time. Guess cause they don't have the birds to worry about
Hey Donna,
I guess I'm lucky I'm short. I was investigating the area around our young redbud in the daytime when I saw this ?herd, ?passel, ?spasm of caterpillars on the underside of a leaf. I'm glad I was cautious.
I was cleaning out my cat box yesterday and dropped one on my lap that quickly deflected into the tray. I think I must have gotten one miniscule barb in my leg but it turned red and swelled up a little. It was enough of a taste to know I never want to experience a full dose.
Maggie
oh ROFL Maggie
Good thing you noticed it when it fell and didn't brush your arm across it or fall in your shoe etc. I don't want to meet up with one of those. The thing is some of those that sting look so cute a curious child might pick them up!
They are very pretty w/ the red racing stripe and the wild "hair".
Maggie
We have these guys on our Hibiscus.