Deathshead Hawk atropos pupae
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Deathshead Hawkmoth Acherontia atropos Pupae
This is a very popular species! There is a shortage of atropos being bred in captivity anywhere, and we are very lucky to have these pupae coming this autumn. Please order early!
Winter pupae can be incubated or kept dormant until the spring. Earlier pupae should be allowed to hatch. In normal summer temperatures the pupal period lasts about a month. Keep the pupae as described for the Pupae Nest on the WWB website.
The larvae feed on many plants in the potato family, Solanaceae, but you don’t have to have these to keep the larvae, they do well on Privet. They have also been found feeding on Buddleia, resulting in a pale coloured larva that matches the leaves. The duration of the egg stage is just a few days, and the larvae grow probably twice as fast as our native hawkmoth larvae, completing their life cycle in as little as 4-6 weeks in summer temperatures.
The moth is just amazing to have alive on your hand! It is furry, and squeaks – almost like handling a little mammal. It also humps its back and displays the blue markings on the body, as well as the famous skull and crossbones on the thorax. The moth needs to feed, not from flowers but from a pad soaked in weak honey or sugar solution. They will seldom feed themselves: it is necessary to hold each moth firmly and, with a strong setting needle, guide the short mouth tube into the sweet feeding pads. They will resist the handling, but once the proboscis samples the sweet solution, they usually coninue feeding of their own accord for some time. The moths may need this assistance repeatedly every few days. Moths have been found inside beehives, attracted by the sweet smell of honey.
In winter moths may be produced before spring if the pupae are kept warm. To overwinter, bury the pupae in light compost that is not too damp but not allowed to dry out. The top of each pupa should be just showing. Store in a cool place (10-12 degrees C) away from predadors. Bring into the warm in April ready for May emergence. When the pupae are to be incubated, keep them warm (20-30 degrees C) and moist, and well drained. The ideal conditions are as described for the Pupae Nest on the WWB website.
