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Home » Forums » Moth Forum

Rearing a leafroller -- question

Do I need to provide fresh foliage, moisture, or anything else in this situation?

A half-inch larva, Tortricidae I think, notched the petiole of a milkweed leaf and rolled itself up in the leaf as it withered. After a couple days, the leaf fell from the plant, was collected with the larva inside, and was placed in a ventilated container at room temperature. The larva is feeding from inside the shelter. Do I need to do anything else to help it reach adulthood, or is it now just a matter of waiting and hoping?
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Contributed by John Schneider on 20 April, 2015 - 11:06pm
Last updated 4 June, 2015 - 12:06am

You probably don't need to do anything further...
unless you see the larva wandering around, in which case you could give it another leaf. Since this species apparently prefers a withered leaf, it should be a relatively easy one to rear. I'm curious what it will turn out to be.

I normally put leaves in sealed (not ventilated) containers to retain moisture. It might make sense to mist it periodically if it seems like things are getting too dry. Then again, bugs in Texas should be used to dry conditions.
… Charley Eiseman, 28 April, 2015 - 4:25pm login or register to post comments

 
Series posted
It was a platynota. Any idea what species? I think I can rule out rostrana based on general appearance. The plant is Asclepias curassavica.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/1077914
… John Schneider, 3 June, 2015 - 10:13pm login or register to post comments

 
I'm clueless about tortricids
You might check the tortricid foodplant database.
… Charley Eiseman, 4 June, 2015 - 8:28am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
No species are listed as known to feed on that plant genus. The mystery continues...
… John Schneider, 10 June, 2015 - 2:29pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks
It seems to be doing OK so far. I forgot to mention the location, but as you correctly surmised, it's here in Texas (Houston).
… John Schneider, 4 May, 2015 - 11:20am login or register to post comments

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