SUMMER PUPAE You can order these NOW in advance
Large White Butterfly Pieris brassicae
No longer the common butterfly it once was. Pupae are stored cool for the winter and normally hatch in May. The larvae feed on cabbage but also most Cruciferae which can be better and less smelly for captive rearing! Horseradish is ideal for its large leaves and other species include Rape, Mustard, Sweet Rocket, Turnip and Watercress.
European Swallowtail Papilio machaon gorganus
These are winter pupae to hatch in the spring. A species that is becoming more difficult to obtain.
The larvae are very easy to rear on Fennel, Carrot and Parsnip (wild and cultivated). One of the most attractive butterfly larvae and a joy to rear!
Eastern Festoon Allancastria cerisyi
Found in Eastern Europe into
Becoming harder to obtain, these pupae overwinter in a cold place and will emerge usually in May when brought out to emerge.
Marsh Fritillary Eurydryas aurinia
Larvae are immediately available for a limited period. Pupae from late April. Feed on Honeysuckle (wild is best), Snowberry or the natural foodplant Devil’s Bit Scabious. Pupae are formed in late April into May. The butterflies fly from May into June. Eggs are laid in large clusters on the underside of Devil’s Bit Scabious. The larvae live in a tightly formed web, growing only a little before they hibernate in autumn.
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.
Black-veined White Aporia crataegi
Just a few pupae left. These will hatch immediately.
Larvae do well sleeved on Hawthorn (their preferred foodplant), Plum, Blackthorn,
Summer larvae spin a very small and concealed web on the branch, in which they hibernate. Leave the sleeve untouched for the winter. In spring they awake as soon as the buds burst, and begin to grow very quickly. They pupate often collectively, making very brightly coloured, angular pupae which are greenish white, with contrasting markings in black and yellow.
Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni
The pupa is a remarkable and lovely shape. The butterflies hatch easily. Difficult to hibernate, but you can keep them for a while with fresh nectar flowers, and then release to hibernate and hopefully breed in your area.
Clouded Yellow Butterfly Colias crocea Larvae
A great favourite with entomologists and extremely easy to rear on potted Clover. The larvae grow fast and will produce butterflies very quickly, particularly in warm conditions. These pupae produce butterflies this year.
5 Clouded Yellow pupae £10.00
New Clouded Yellow Colias australis
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.
Pale Clouded Yellow Colias hyale
This species is a very scarce migrant to Britian and Northern Europe. In southern Europe it is commoner than the Clouded Yellow crocea. The larvae feed on Clover, Lucerne, Trefoils and Vetches. The adult is almost indistinguishable from the New Clouded Yellow australis, but the caterpillar is all green and has not prominent markings in black and yellow.
Livestock of the Pale Clouded Yellow is very scarce but we expect a number of pupae in May.
Bath White Pontia daplidice
The larvae feed on Mignonette, a flower of chalk soil, but they also feed on various Mustard family Cruciferae, and can be reared on the heads of Cauliflower. This is a very rare migrant to
Orange Tip Anthocharis cardamines
Store the pupae in a cool place, even a refrigerator, loose in a plastic box. An early spring butterfly. Depending on locality and season, the butterflies usually begin to fly in May. T mheale has the orange tips. Both sexes have mottled undersides in green which is actually made of microscopic scales of black and yellow, giving the illusion of green. The curious pupae look like thorns. Eggs are laid on Garlic Mustard, Sweet Rocket and Cuckoo Flower or Lady’s Smock. The larvae live singly and canabalistic. Not difficult to breed, particularly on potted foodplant. Camouflage in all stages is remarkable.