Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recieved some Samia Ricini eggs a few days ago, and the first caterpillar finally hatched! I should have a lot more caterpillars by morning. Anyone have any tips about raising this species?

Thanks,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

well, if you live in Asia they prefer Manihot esculenta (Cassava/Tapioca plant) and Ricinus communis] (Castor-oil bean) LOL!! According to a few of my books they will eat willow, ailanthus and cherry. According to Stone's foodplant book S. cynthia(not ricini) feed on a number of common plants such as ash (not mountain), sassafras, lilac, dogwood and others. They are a gregarious species like cecropia.

I know I have asked before...where do you live? I will guess in a southern state that still has leaves on its trees?? Hope so! Did the breeder you got them from tell you what the parents were reared on?

My sources also say that they breed year round (probably b/c they are from Asia) and cannot be forced into diapause as pupa. Keep me posted!!

I live in Northern California.
The seller raises them on Lingustrum(privet), which can be collected year-round since it never drops its leaves. The seller feeds them on this since it is easy to find, and it can be collected year-round, which makes it convienient(spelling?)because the pupa dont go into a winter diapause. A lot more of the caterpillars have hatched and they all appear to be doing fine. Ill keep you updated.

Thanks,
Andrew
www.freewebs.com/taumantis

Yes, privet is in Stone's book for S. cynthia. Where does the breeder live? In NoCal? I tend not to raise species that are not indigenous to my area (New England) but damn there are some lovely ones available! Some of those tropical luna spp. are just stunning (A. isis for one.

lele

btw, Stone's foodplant book is a handy thing to have and is inexpensive. You can get it thru the Lep Soc.
Link

Im pretty sure that the breeder lives in England.

Thanks,
Andrew
www.freewebs.com/taumantis

Well, its obvious that my first attempt with this species has failed MISERABLY. They caterpillars would not eat and died of starvation. There were no host plants, except for Privet, available this time of the year here, so it was hopeless. I will try again in the Spring and will try raising them on willow.

Thanks,
Andrew
www.freewebs.com/taumantis

Hi Andrew - sorry to hear that...very sad to lose little cats Did you give them very tender leaves? those little mouths need soft, tender food to start out with. In the spring you may want to find a few host plants and see what they will accept, esp if they are coming form UK. Cherry, Ailanthus (very common, weedy tree) and sassafras along wiht willow. I would toss in the privet as well. Be interested to see how you make out so keep us (me ) posted

lele

They had plenty of different sized leaves to choose from, I assume that the smaller ones are more "tender"? The guy has cocoons available now... its tempting not to try again. Do you know if this species will eat oak? I have access to plenty of fresh oak leaves..

Thanks,
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

The Samia Cynthia Ricini only eats the couple plants I mentioned. In captivity they are: willow, ailanthus, and cherry.

For any of the S. cynthia species oak is not listed as a food plant and ailanthus (Tree of Heaven) is the most preferred.

Might I ask why you are so determined to raise this species? I think Bill Oehlke still has some S. cynthi cocoons left. Luna, polyphemus, promethea, etc. are relatively easy to raise and some have a wide array of food plants.

You might want to post on www.insectnet.com to see what food plants others may have raised these on. Here is Bill's non-member site where there is a link to his livestock. Just check with him to see what he has available. I raise luna every year along with some others but luna are my mainstay - they are hardy, as are the poly's. The polyphemus will feed on oak.

lele

here are a pair of last season's luna (wild male with hand reared female) "holding hands" after 18 hours of mating

Link

Hi,
I am just very interested in this species, thats all. I have access to willow now, so I might purchase some eggs soon.

Thanks,
Andrew

Hey, Kungfu, I just re-read this old thread. Do you have any castor plants nearby? After all, this is S. ricini, the Ricinus-eater! Other foods are the Ailanthus tree, but I have not heard about willow as an alternate food. Lots of people on Insectnet.com will have ova [and later cocoons] for this species as well as other really beautiful saturniids.
Currently, I'm gearing up to rear Io's and other Automeris species and any sphingids I can get.