December Moth Eggs

[Wharfrat]

Hi

Last night, I had a December Moth in the trap. During the brief period it was in a jar, it has managed to lay about 40-50 eggs.

Will they happily sit in the jar overwinter (presumably they'd need to be kept cold?) and hatch in the spring at which time I can release them onto a convenient tree (I've got a good range of suitable food trees in the garden)?

[triops]

Yes, they will happily sit in the jar or other suitable container until the spring. They MUST be kept cold-remember during the winter they will be exposed to the elements on a twig in the open. Don't let them be exposed to the sun in their jar-this will make them too warm. They would be best kept in a mesh sleeve or container outside and not sheltered.
It's worth remembering that almost all the insects we have seen this year survived last winter's freezing weather in various stages, often in places where they could not have avoided temperatures many degrees below freezing.

[Wharfrat]

Thanx for that.

I'll try and find an outdoor spot not in the sun - hopefully I'll get a lot more December Moths next winter!

[Wharfrat]

An update - there were 7 newly hatched tiny black caterpillars in the pots this morning, just in time for budburst on my 100ft hawthorn hedge.

I wish them happy munching, and look forward to meeting them again next winter!