In order to obtain
eggs, you can look for them yourself, or order them from a breeder. (As I said earlier,
"Breeders are the most reliable source for all your Lepidoptera needs.)
If you order the eggs, upon their arrival, you should
place them in an air-tight container. I use clear, plastic zip-lock containers
which are easy to clean and can be used year after year.
Photo courtesy Scott Henninger.
Care
for Eggs
You've
found or received some eggs and are probably wondering how to take care of them.
As a soon to be moth-er, Don't worry; in this stage of their development not
much care is needed.
While
caring for the eggs, you should place them in an air-tight dry container. As
I mentioned earlier, I use a paper towel-lined, zip-lock container. Do not add
leaves to the container as this can cause several problems. These
problems would include:
1.Carbon Dioxide produced by the leaves could suffocate the eggs.
2.The leaves could produce moisture which could also suffocate the eggs by covering
the micropyle(the portion in the eggshell where the unhatched larvae breathes).
If you receive the eggs from me or other breeders, the date
of deposition should be in the envelope. Write this date on a piece of masking
tape and affix it to the top of the container.
The caterpillars, when it's time for them to hatch (a time
table discussion of normal egg incubation times discussed later) literally chew
their way out, which brings us to our next stage; larvae.
Eggs