Whitemarked tussock moth: Care instructions

Whitemarked tussock moth eggs are shipped during diapause and will begin to hatch within 10–12 days of the shipping date. Artificial diet is not normally included.

1. Upon receipt, place the eggs in rearing containers with artificial diet (e.g., 200–300 eggs, or one egg mass, per container when using 6 oz [177 ml] cups of artificial diet. Turn the rearing containers upside down so that the diet is at the top. The hatching larvae will move upward to find food. Maintain the eggs at 22°C, 50% relative humidity and a 12h:12h light:dark cycle.
2. Transfer the larvae to fresh diet weekly and ensure that you reduce the rearing density. During the first two weekly diet changes, the rearing density should be maintained at about 100 larvae per 6 oz (177 ml) cup, then reduced to 50 and 25 per cup during successive weeks. Inverting the cups is no longer necessary after about 3 weeks.
3. Natural foliage may also be used for feeding, although this is not recommended because natural foliage is a potential source of microbial pathogens that may infect the insects. Washing the foliage will reduce this risk. For early instars, use young tender shoots (e.g., apple, balsam fir, beech, birch, cherry, hemlock, oak, spruce or tamarack); as the larvae mature, older hardened shoots may be used. Ensure that rearing containers are breathable (e.g., paper lids) and provide sufficient ventilation to avoid excess moisture build-up. Remember to reduce the rearing density as the larvae mature. Daily replacement of the foliage may be necessary.
4. Larvae will begin to pupate about five weeks after hatch and may be removed from the diet. The Insect Production Services recommends storing pupae at 20°C, 80% relative humidity and a 16h:8h light:dark cycle.
5. Adults will emerge approximately 10 days after pupation (i.e., 45 days after egg hatch