Best Cat' accomodation.

[Kleftiwallah]

Tidy-up time in the veggie garden and I keep finding unusual caterpillars on the ground. I don't know if they 'live' there or I've knocked them off the crops so I'm note sure if they are plant particular. What is the best way to keep them (in some luxury) to see what they finally turn out to be? Cheers, Tony.

[charlieb]

Stick them in a (ice cream/margarine etc.) tub with various foodplants (whatever was around where you found them), a little soil and some kitchen roll. They'll likely hatch out next year, so it might be a good idea to keep them outside somewhere sheltered to make sure they don't emerge early.

[Kleftiwallah]

Thanks for the info charlie. What's the kitchen paper for? Cheers, Tony.

[charlieb]

Some larva pupate in soil, others amongst leaf litter and vegetation. Leaf litter and vegetation can go quite mouldy - kitchen towel doesn't and is generally cleaner - no unintended extra bugs etc. (it's also easier to find caterpillars amongst the white towel!)