The giant leopard moth caterpillar is a black caterpillar with orange or red stripes. Although the fur looks dangerous, this caterpillar is not poisonous. Caterpillars are unique pets and are suitable for children. If the caterpillars are cared for properly, you can observe the life cycle and the process of the caterpillar's metamorphosis into an adult leopard moth.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing the Caterpillar Cage
Step 1. Use a large jar or flower pot
Each container can be used as a caterpillar cage as long as it can be tightly closed and has air holes. Since caterpillars can crawl on the sides of the cage, make sure the cage can be tightly closed. Otherwise, the caterpillars can crawl out.
If you have an aquarium or terrarium that can be covered with a net, you can turn it into a caterpillar cage. Make sure every part of the aquarium or terrarium is secure so that caterpillars can't crawl out
Step 2. Make a cover with air holes
Caterpillars need air to breathe, so use a hollow material such as cheesecloth to cover the cage. Make sure the cloth you use doesn't have holes that are too big to prevent the caterpillars from escaping. You can use rubber to fasten the cover to the caterpillar's cage.
- If you don't have a thin cloth, you can use plastic with a small hole.
- Do not use metal jar lids. Metal can injure caterpillars.
Step 3. Add a 5-8 cm layer of soil in a jar or pot
You can use soil from your yard or land for gardening. If you want to keep caterpillars from nature, use the soil around the caterpillar's natural habitat.
Do not take land from protected areas, such as land from a nature park
Step 4. Add grass, tree branches, and leaves
Add objects that come from the caterpillar's natural habitat so that the caterpillars are more comfortable when living in the cage. Caterpillars need a comfortable place to climb and hide.
- Collect grass, twigs and leaves from the caterpillar's natural habitat.
- DO NOT add water to the caterpillar cage. Caterpillars can drown.
Step 5. Change the leaves regularly
You will need to replace the leaves that are in the jar or pot every day or every other day. This is done because the leaves can rot.
If the caterpillar is sitting on the old leaf, insert the new leaf and wait for the caterpillar to climb it. After the caterpillar climbs on the new leaves, the old leaves can be removed from the caterpillar's cage
Step 6. Clean the caterpillar cage
Caterpillars produce significant amounts of manure, so you need to clean the cage every day. This is done so that the caterpillar cage does not get moldy.
Use paper towels to clean caterpillar droppings from the cage
Step 7. Place the caterpillar cage outside the house
If you want to follow the caterpillar's natural life cycle, place the cage on a porch, balcony, or in your yard. Remember, glass jars exposed to sunlight can overheat caterpillars. Therefore, choose the right location to put the caterpillar cage carefully.
- Keep the caterpillar warm. The caterpillar will hibernate when the weather is cold, so the cold caterpillar will not be very active.
- If placed indoors, place the caterpillar cage on the windowsill.
Part 2 of 4: Feeding the Caterpillars
Step 1. Check the yard for the caterpillar's favorite food
If you find caterpillars in your yard, look for caterpillar food nearby. Caterpillars only like certain foods, and they will not change their diet when you give them a new food. In order for caterpillars to grow and develop properly, you need to find the right plants for them.
- The leopard moth caterpillar is very fond of dense leafy plants such as treads, violets, camphor, lilacs, and magnolias.
- If it is difficult to find these plants in the wild, you can buy them in pots. Randa treads, violets, and lilacs are generally sold in stores in pots.
Step 2. Make sure there are no spiders or other insects
Spiders and insects like to eat caterpillars. Therefore, make sure that no spiders or other predators enter the caterpillar's cage while you are feeding it. If there are spiders in the caterpillar's cage, the caterpillars may be eaten by them.
Step 3. Place the leaves into the caterpillar's cage
First, observe your caterpillar to make sure it is getting an adequate source of food. Caterpillars spend most of their time eating, so make sure you put enough leaves in the cage for their needs.
- Feed the caterpillars every day.
- If you pick too many leaves, you can put them in a container filled with water and then put them in the fridge.
- Remember, do not put a container filled with water into the caterpillar's cage so that the caterpillars don't drown.
Step 4. Add live plants to the cage
If there is enough space, you can add live plants to the caterpillar's cage. This can only be done with small plants, so look for plants that can grow in small pots.
Part 3 of 4: Playing With Caterpillars
Step 1. Wash your hands before touching caterpillars
The bacteria on your hands can stick to the caterpillars. Therefore, make sure your hands are clean before touching the caterpillar.
Step 2. Check for caterpillars at night
The leopard moth caterpillar is a nocturnal animal so the caterpillar will be more active at night. You can observe its movement in the morning, but don't wake the caterpillar when it's asleep.
Step 3. Do not pull the caterpillar from the surface forcibly
The caterpillar will stick to the surface it is climbing. Therefore, do not pull the caterpillars by force. The caterpillar will continue to try to stick to the surface and will be injured if pulled by force.
Part 4 of 4: Helping the Caterpillar Metamorphosis Process
Step 1. Let the caterpillar hibernate
In the wild, leopard moth caterpillars hibernate in winter. Caterpillars can hibernate outside their cage in winter, or you can place them in the refrigerator. However, make sure the caterpillars don't freeze.
The caterpillar will not eat while it is hibernating, but it may be more active in warmer weather. When the caterpillar is active, it will eat the available food
Step 2. Give the caterpillar a larger portion of food
When the caterpillar finishes hibernating, it is ready to fatten its body so that it can metamorphose into a moth. This process will generally occur after hibernation. Make sure you provide enough food for the caterpillar so it can turn into a pupa.
Step 3. Wait for the exoskeleton of the caterpillar to decay
The caterpillar's skin will shed as its body enlarges, and turn into a soft, oval black pupa. This is the pupal phase. The caterpillar will shed its exoskeleton in the spring or after hibernation.
Step 4. Check the pupae regularly
Since it is difficult to predict when the moth will emerge from the cocoon, observe its development daily. Although the pupa doesn't need food, you may need to spray a little water to keep the pupae moist. Just spray a little water into the caterpillar's cage.
Although the duration of caterpillar metamorphosis varies considerably, leopard moth caterpillars only take a few weeks to metamorphose
Step 5. Watch the moth emerge from the cocoon
You can keep the moths or release them into the wild.
Tips
- This type of caterpillar is nocturnal; It will sleep during the day and be active at night.
- Don't be afraid of its black fur, the leopard moth caterpillar is not poisonous.
- The life cycle of the leopard moth caterpillar begins in the fall and ends in the spring, or when it metamorphoses into a moth.
- This caterpillar is very fond of treads.
- Caterpillars will hibernate when the weather is cold. If the caterpillar is kept while it is going to hibernate, place the caterpillar cage in a cool place.
- This caterpillar is often confused with Pyrrharctia isabella. One way to tell the difference is to rub a small twig against its side. The caterpillar will curl up like a ball. If there is an orange or red stripe on its back, it is a leopard moth caterpillar.
Warning
- Caterpillars will emit a foul odor when frightened.
- Do not put water in the caterpillar cage because the caterpillars can drown. The caterpillar gets its fluid intake from the plants it eats.
