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Post by trehopr1 on Oct 30, 2015 4:09:04 GMT
I've always thought of Lepidoptera breeders as a niche group within the hobby. It takes an awful lot of work, patience, trial and error, time, and accumulated knowledge to really be any good at it. Those at the top of their game such as you (skandinavisk) and Adam cotton are exceptional individuals with a unique accumulated talent. Most other breeders I believe take a much more cavalier " I'm just having a little fun with these" approach. So most tend to gravitate seemingly to common saturniids, common sphingids, common papilio's, and maybe some easy growing nymphalids. In a sense, breeders who step outside the normal species "parameters" are pioneers of a unique kind. Each new species they tackle is for them a scientific experiment with all the requisite note taking, observation, trial and error. It's the science which both intrigues and captivates them. They pursue each new challenge wide eyed and yet to a usually successful conclusion. In that manner they thereby break new ground or (rarely trod on ground) and show others what is possible through patience and steadfast determination. Most admirable !
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Post by nomihoudai on Oct 30, 2015 8:07:11 GMT
Why always rear the same stuff? Because you have the plants and they are your pets I have a breeding stock of Saturnia pavonia going for 5 years now, from 6 caterpillars that I once found in the wild. I enjoy it and I consider them as my pets. Of course it is great to breed new species and things, but I always enjoy having these caterpillars back every year. I know of other people that have kept the same breeding stock going for 25 years and more.
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Post by Paul K on Oct 30, 2015 9:26:07 GMT
I like your pets ! Saturnia pavonia-the drama of my childhood. Once upon a time when I was still a little boy my parents and I went in September for a trip to pick up wild mushrooms in the near by forestry complex in south west Poland. My main interest wasn't a mushrooms of course. In the early morning hours to my very nice surprise I found on the plant Calluna vulgaris perfectly fresh pear shaped cocoon of Saturnia pavonia . I was the happiest person in the world. I knew this beautiful moth only from the books. I carefully bring the cocoon to my parents car as inside there was still a caterpillar so I did not want to disturb it before it would turn to pupa. For the rest of the afternoon I enjoyed the trip and look everywhere for more caterpillars or cocoons but I didn't find anymore. Unfortunately my happiness wasn't there with me for a long. Upon return to the car when everyone was ready to go back home to my shock I found my beloved caterpillar dead trying to escape the cocoon ! During afternoon hours even though the outside temperature was around mid tens Celsius inside the car my caterpillar was boiled... I had return to that place for many years and never found my beautiful moth again. After more then 20 years later I bought my pair at the Toronto Insect Fair as a reminder of my story. Enjoy your pets Claude !
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Post by nomihoudai on Oct 30, 2015 12:21:17 GMT
Sad story, I can relate to it. I also used to have Aglia tau as pets, I used to... until that one time in the car, when I was moving between Germany and Luxembourg. The temperature in the car was ok, but the sun shining onto the plastic container made them burn crisp. Since that day I avoid transporting them in plastic boxes or cars.
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Post by exoticimports on Oct 30, 2015 20:27:30 GMT
Whenever I come across a gravid female luna or cecropia, I cannot help but raise them so that the next year I can have those wonderful beauties flying around the house. The cat freaks out. No matter how many times I see a wild luna even after having raised thousands, I am still in awe of the bright green and felt auburn accents.
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ciervo
Aurelian
Posts: 161
Country: Australia
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Post by ciervo on Oct 31, 2015 4:59:34 GMT
Whenever I come across a gravid female luna or cecropia, I cannot help but raise them so that the next year I can have those wonderful beauties flying around the house. The cat freaks out. No matter how many times I see a wild luna even after having raised thousands, I am still in awe of the bright green and felt auburn accents. Theres something magical about newly emerged saturnids...
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Post by trehopr1 on Nov 1, 2015 5:16:51 GMT
Live long and prosper ( in your knowledge ) skandinavisk ! The hobby and science needs more folks like you. Best Wishes....
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foxxdoc
New Aurelian
foxxdoc is male
Posts: 16
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Post by foxxdoc on Nov 16, 2015 20:12:15 GMT
the issue here in the states is availability. it was easier to obtain ova from out of the country 40 years ago then today. too bad because communication is so much easier and the available hostplants are also possible to find.
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Post by poisonarrow on Jan 5, 2016 16:30:47 GMT
I do tend to breed beetles. Why the same old stuff? Well, some of them became 'good friends' and I do like these species, so whenever i can get them, I will breed them again. Then, there are some species that are very hard to breed, yet I seem to have it figured out, so I keep doing and enjoying it. Third, I am always quite interested to see if inbreeding occurs, and the variation between generations. There once were black Eudicella gralli in my breedings, and I loved those. A gynandromorph Stephanorrhina priceps was a nother price. And you can always try to outcompete yourself in terms of sizes attained in your breeding. So much about why the same old species. Now, I do love new species as well, especially those that have not been bred before. Why? Because it is a challenge, a thrill and the feeling of success is awesome. Plus, you can then help others to become successful as well. I do breed mainly local butterflies nowadays, they are a new to me, but since their generation succession is so quick compared to beetles, I am hooked and see myself in for many generation. The foodplants are easily available, so why not. Hope that gives some insights.
Cheers ben
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