Peacock Larvae

[faeriewishes]

I have recently purchased Peacock Larvae from wwb.com, they arrived in a small plastic container on cotton wool. My question is will they be ok to continue developing on the ground at the bottom of a butterfly net we have purchased from insect lore, or should i somehow try to hang them from the roof of it? If they need to be hanging when they hatch out how can i attach them?
Thank you

[Deb London]

I assume you mean Peacock butterflies.

If so, I found this which might be useful:

As they approach pupation, caterpillars will attach themselves to the top and
sides of the cage. Care should be taken not to disturb them during this
delicate stage. After hardening, pupae can be left in-situ or carefully
removed and laid on moist peat or moss in a netted cage A few sticks will
help emerging adults to climb and expand their wings. Stand the cage in a
warm place, but not in direct sunlight (65o-75o is ideal). Emergence is usually
within 10-14 days.

Welcome to the site btw.

[faeriewishes]

Thank you very much for your reply, thats really kind, however i'm sorry i meant i bought live Pupae not larvae, i had children running around my feet when i was typing earlier.
They aren't attached to anything as they arrived in the post from wwb.com in a plastic container, will they be ok just on a piece of kitchen towel in the bottom of the net enclosure they are in? I'm a bit naively concerned because ive never had them at this stage before i've only had them from larvae stage where as you said they climb up and pupate themselves.

Will they be ok when they hatch from their pupae on the floor of the net?

[Deb London]

Hi,

Yes, I think that's what that passage is suggesting. It says peat or moss, but I'm sure slightly moist (not wet) cotton wool (what they arrived on) will be OK. Leave the container open in the cage and check that it doesn't dry out too much. But do not soak it as the pupae would be hanging freely in the wild. You could add sticks like it suggests.

I hope someone will answer the thread that has done this before. In the meantime, good luck!

Deb

[faeriewishes]

Thank you, i have separated them slightly to allow them a bit more space for when they hatch but will leave them as you suggested and see what happens
One of them is very lively it was wriggling about a bit as i moved them apart slightly with a gentle movement of the cotton wool.
Very exciting! Ill let you know what happens in two weeks

[King Edward]

Might they get their feet tangled in cotton wool when they emerge? You could probably find suitable moss in the lawn or somewhere.