SPRING and SUMMER EGGS and LARVAE Order now for supply in season
Poplar Hawkmoth Laothoe populi
Fast growing, the larvae feed on most Willows and Poplars. They do well in sleeves or caged.
This is one of the few hawkmoths that produce two broods of moths in the year.
The larvae become very fat and vary in both the ground colour, in shades of green or blue/green, and in their markings which often include red spots as well as the oblique stripes down the sides.
The larvae need to burrow into compost for pupation.
Lime Hawkmoth Mimas tiliae
Extremely easy to rear on Lime or Elm. Other reported foodplants include Cherry, Alder, Birch, Oak, Hazel, Acer including Sycamore, Sorbus, Apple, Pear and Ash! In autumn the larvae will grow faster if kept warm.
The larvae do particularly well sleeved on growing foodplant but can be kept in plastic boxes or cages. Beautiful streamlined larvae. Larger larvae are often heavily marked with flame and scarlet spots and blotches. Very variable. They pupate underground. In captivity they will pupate amongst folds of cloth or absorbent tissue. Store pupae refrigerated for the winter. The moths normally emerge in May/June.
Eyed Hawk Smerinthus ocellata
Fascinatingly camouflaged larvae which exactly match their leafy background. Easy to breed.
The larvae feed on Apple, Willows, Poplars. Other reported foodplants are Lime, Privet, Alder, Birch, Plum, Blackthorn, some Viburnums, Various Prunus, Laurel.
At pupation time, provide a container of compost to a depth of about 10cm, with a lid. The larvae burrow to pupate. The moths, with vivid eye-spots, emerge the following spring.
Privet Hawkmoth Sphinx ligustri
One of the largest Hawkmoths. The caterpillar becomes enormous and is characteristic of the name Sphinx moths, by its sphinx-like resting position. Adults emerge in June and July. They need nectar from the flowers of Privet, Valerian, Buddleia.
Larval foodplants: Privet, Lilac, Ash, also reportedly Spiraea, Viburnum opulus, and other Viburnums, Holly, Dogwood, Snowberry, Apple, Pear, Oleander, Leycesteria, Currant.
One generation in the year. Privet Hawks breed readily in a large cage with nectar and foodplant.
The large pupae are formed underground. Store the pupae for emergence next summer.
Pine Hawk Hyloicus pinastri
These are the last eggs for this season.
Extremely easy to rear on Pine. The larvae change colour and pattern as they shed their skins and grow, each new attire demonstrating remarkable camouflage. They do best sleeved on growing pine but can also be reared on cut food as long as well cared for and hygienic conditions maintained. The larvae pupate in the soil. Store pupae refrigerated until next summer.
Elephant Hawk Dielephila elpenor
A most attractive and easy species to rear. The larvae feed on Willowherbs, Fuschia, Virginia Creeper, Vine and Bedstraw. Fast-growing, the larvae have two colour forms, starting green they change to black, or a lovely green form, the green being the rarest.
The larvae pupate amongst leaf litter on the ground, and emerge next spring as one of the most beautiful of all hawkmoths.
Small Elephant Hawk Dielephila porcellus
Very seldom can we offer eggs and larvae of this brilliantly coloured and delicate little Hawkmoth. The larvae are miniatures of the Elephant Hawk.
The best foodplant is Bedstraw Galium, any species. Other foodplants are recorded as possible alternatives: Willowherb, Purple Loosestrife, Impatiens (Balsam and perhaps Busy Lizzie), Vine and Parthenocissus. Don’t miss this opportunity of rearing the Small Elephant Hawk this year.
Oleander Hawk Daphnis nerii
Because the egg stage is only a few days, they cannot be supplied outside Britain.
One of the finest of all Hawkmoths. The larvae are very fast growing indeed and they consume a lot of food. It is often possible to have the larvae from hatching to pupation in little more than a month.
Larvae thrive on Privet and can be reared on Periwinkle Vinca, or Honeysuckle Lonicera. Suitable for winter or summer rearing. Oleander Nerium is a natural foodplant but it is often tough and leathery, so the alternives are usually better than Oleander.
Hummingbird Hawk Macroglossum stellatarum
In summer this species migrates to Britain and provide much sought after breeding stock. There are some available NOW.
The larvae grow very fast, feeding on Bedstraw, Woodruff, Goosegrass and Madder.
Pupae are formed in litter on the ground and moths emerge this year.
Watching the moths feeding with amazing agility is a memorable experience!
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Convolvulous Hawkmoth Herse convolvuli
Not available every year: these are very special!
Huge caterpillars: fascinating to rear. The pupa has a curious proboscis, like a jug handle. Feeds at dusk, Tobacco plants, Petunia, Lillies and Phlox.
Larval Foodplants: Convolvulus, Field Bindweed, Hedge Bindweed, some Morning Glories.
Best reared in Plastic Rearing Containers: see the advice at the heading of that section of the WWB website. Keep at about 25 degrees C. The paper lining and food must be changed EVERY day. Food needs to be very fresh at all times. When larger the larvae may need this change twice a day, due to their productivity!
Larvae pupate in deep compost. Amazing pupae with jug-handle exterior proboscis case!. The pupae may be held cool until next season or incubated to produce moths in a month or two.
Clifden Nonpareil (Blue Underwing) Catocala fraxini
The largest underwing, spectacular blue. Store eggs refrigerated until May.
This species is now almost extinct in Britain. We are offering European stock of this fine moth, the largest of all Underwings and remarkable for its BLUE hindwings. The young larvae are immensely active and care must be taken when transferring them to fooplant on hatching, because they can tangle themselves up if you try to move more than one at a time! Feed on Aspen and other Poplars. The larvae are the largest of this genus and very satisfying to rear. Moths emerge in late summer, laying eggs that overwinter.
Jersey Tiger Moth Euplagia quadripunctaria
A very active and exotic European tiger moth, which occurs in a very small area of the south-west of Britain, the Torbay area, as well as in Europe.
The larvae feed on Hemp Agrimony, Dandelion, Forgetmenot, Dock, Nettle, Dead Nettle, Plantain, Bramble and other low-growing plants. The larvae, as with other Tigers, have prominent tufts of hair, and colourful markings. The hairs may give a rash on handling, but seldom do. Pupae are formed in leaf litter.
Hibernating is achieved well on potted foodplant protected from predators by a fine net enclosing pot and plant. In spring the larvae begin to feed again and produce moths in summer.