SPRING and SUMMER EGGS and LARVAE Order now for supply in season
English Swallowtail Papilio machaon britannicus larvae
This unique race, unlike its European counterpart, lives only in fenland and it now occurs only on certain Norfolk Broads. The butterfly's markings are distinctly darker and the colouring richer. Larvae are easy to rear on Fennel, Carrot tops, the flowers of Parsnip (wild and cultivated) or on its fenland food plant Milk Parsley Peucedanum palustre. There is a partial second brood in late summer. Winter is passed in the pupal stage. This is one of the most beautiful of our butterflies, certainly {C}
Ten larvae English Swallowtail £12.95 May/June
European Swallowtail Papilio machaon gorganus
Easy to rear on Fennel and other Umbelliferae, such as carrot tops, Parsnip and Wild Parsnip flowers and fresh leaves. Very attractive caterpillar, bright green, striped black and orange. Double brooded.
Green-veined White Pieris napi
A delicate member of the White family, with variable markings and prominent underside veining. The larvae feed on many Cruficerae with a particular liking for Jack by the Hedge Alliaria, Horseradish Armoracia rusticana, Cresses and Mustards.
Very easy to breed. Several generations are possible in a season. The pupa hibernates. Keep the pupae cool or in the fridge until April. Lay them out to emerge in May and provide the adults with nectar flowers and stems of the foodplant on which to lay.
Harmless to garden plants (they prefer wild plants), this is a species you can breed to enhance the local countryside.
Ten larvae of Green-veined White £8.95 Sent in June/July
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
This year we will have Brimstone larvae and pupae for sale: the first time for some years. Both larvae and pupae are masters of camouflage. Quick growing, the larvae feed on Buckthorns Rhamnus catharticus or Frangula alnus. There are no substitutes, so prepare with some bushes in advance.
10 Brimstone larvae May/June £8.95
Cleopatra’s Brimstone Gonepteryx cleopatra
We very seldom offer this wonderful species. The orange flush on citron yellow blends to make this one of Europe's most beautiful butterflies. Cleopatra is found in southern Europe. The larvae feed on Buckthorn Rhamnus or Frangula. Larvae are expected in May/June. We recommend sleeving the larvae on growing foodplant. The pupae produce adults later in the summer.
Larvae available May/June
10 larvae Cleopatra’s Brimstone 10.95
Clouded Yellow Butterfly Colias crocea Larvae
A great favourite with entomologists and easy to rear on potted Clover. The larvae grow fast and will produce butterflies very quickly, particularly in warm conditions.
New Clouded Yellow Colias australis TEN LARVAE
Almost indistinguishable from the Pale Clouded Yellow hyale. This species was not recognised until 1947 when a Belgian entomologist, M. Berger, found that the larvae not only fed on Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis, but are totally different in appearance, having a brilliantly coloured pattern in black, yellow and green. Larvae will produce butterflies again this season. They will also feed on Crown Vetch Coronilla.
Please note the specialised foodplant: order only if you have it. This species is not suitable for classroom study.
Bath White Pontia daplidice
The larvae feed on Mignonette, a flower of chalk soil, but they also feed on various Mustard family Cruciferae. Some people have done well rearing them on the cauliflower - just let them loose on the raw heads!
This is a very rare migrant to
Ten larvae of
EARLY Small Tortoiseshell Aglais urticae
One of the best species for young people and beginners. Larvae are sent in early May. The best way to keep the young caterpillars is on potted nettles which should be prepared in March, regularly watered, and kept out of doors to make stocky growth. Prepare more than one pot of nettle. When the young larvae are received, bring the potted nettle indoors and place the young larvae on the foodplant, where they will look after themselves until they finish the food and are large enough to be kept in a cage on cut nettle in a jar of water. In a matter of weeks the pupae are formed hanging from the cage top, and the butterflies emerge in a little over a fortnight.
The butterflies can be kept in a cage for a few days, with plenty of flowers for nectar, and then released to help the wild populations.
Ten larvae of the EARLY Small Tortoiseshell £ 12.95 April/May
EARLY Peacock Butterfly (Inachis io)
The larvae live in tight clusters on the tips of nettle. Prepare some potted nettle in March, when the stems are short. Keep the pots outside until needed indoors for the first larvae. When the larvae are larger, keep them caged on cut stems of nettle in a jar of water. Pupae are formed in a matter of weeks, hanging from the cage top. Butterflies emerge in about 3 weeks. They can be kept for a few days in a cage with flowers for nectar, then released into the wild.
Ten EARLY Peacock larvae £14.95 May
Wood White Butterfly Leptidea sinapis
We think this is the first time WWB has listed larvae of this species, so this is a new opportunity! The larvae feed on Birds Foot Trefoil, Tufted Vetch and allied vetches. There are two or more broods in a summer.
10 larvae of Wood White £12.95 July
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
The larvae are solitary and make a nettle leaf into a tent. Inside the leaf tent the larva develops quickly in warm weather, sometimes moving to a bigger tent. The final shelter is where the larva hangs up and pupates. The butterflies will emerge this year. If you can keep them on growing foodplant, either potted or sleeved outside, this is the best way to accommodate their need for fresh food as a shelter.
Ten young Red Admiral larvae £12.95 July/August