Presented by Todd Stout

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http//www.utahlepsociety.org
Tips on Raising North American Limenitis
(Basilarchia) species
Presented by Todd Stout Utah Lepidopterists
Society April 8, 2006
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Limenitis immatures
Ova Normally laid on the tip of the leaf
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Limenitis immatures
Early instars Larvae construct conspicuous perch
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Limenitis immatures
Pre-diapausal third instars construct a
rolled-leaf hibernaculum
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Limenitis hibernacula
Are NOT necessarily difficult to locate in the
winter when willows/aspens/service berries etc.
have dropped their leaves because it remains
attached to the branch where it can be somewhat
conspicuous.
Caterpillar
Attached to willow branch with silk
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Limenitis hibernacula
However, hibernacula hunting in the winter can be
extremely difficult if the population size is too
small and/or if there is too much hostplant in
the area.
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Limenitis immatures
Fifth instars
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Limenitis immatures
Prepupa
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Limenitis immatures
Pupa
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Note Strategies for raising Viceroys as compared
to banded admirals and purples are very similar
with one key exception.
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
and that is Oviposition Preference

• Female Viceroys prefer to oviposit on willows
  adjacent to water courses or on willows draped
  right over the river itself.
• Female banded admirals and purples also may
  oviposit near the river OR several hundred feet
  away where suitable hostplants are growing.

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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys

• Strategic Similarities
• Collecting and Obtaining ova from live females
  (Setting up oviposition cage)
• How to recognize immatures on hostova,
  pre-diapausal larvae, hibernacula
• Insuring that ova hatch in the lab and do not
  desiccate
• Exposing freshly-molted second instars to
  sufficient photoperiod to avoid hibernation
• Successful hibernacula overwintering techniques
  (avoiding desiccation).
• Setting up a post-diapausal rearing terrarium
  from hibernacula using willow starts
• Differences in pre vs. post-diapausal larval
  resting positions
• Utilizing Populus sucker leaves on larger instars
  to maximize the size of emerged adults

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Repeating Theme of Rearing Admirals

• Whether its successfully
• Overwintering hibernacula
• Hatching ova in the lab (avoiding desiccation)
• Setting up rearing cage
• Getting eggs out of live females
• Finding populations (especially Viceroys)

Humidity!
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Repeating Theme of Rearing Admirals
Which is why Limenitis populations are much more
prevalent in the Eastern U.S. as compared to the
West
Humidity!
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Tips of Raising North American Limenitis
butterflies
8 April 2006
Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus
L. archippus Female oviposition preference is
very close or right on top of water courses.
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Tips of Raising North American Limenitis
butterflies
8 April 2006
Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus
Non-archippus Female oviposition preference
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Tips of Raising North American Limenitis
butterflies
8 April 2006
Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus
Differences in last instar larval
structures/coloration
L. lorquini fifth instar
L. archippus fifth instar
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Tips of Raising North American Limenitis
butterflies
8 April 2006
Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus
Differences in last instar larval
structures/coloration
L. weidemeyeri fifth instar
L. archippus fifth instar
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L. archippus fifth instar
L. weidemeyeri fifth instar
L. a. arizonensis fifth instar
L. lorquini fifth instar
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities Collecting and Obtaining
ova from live females (Setting up oviposition
cage)
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities How to recognize
immatures on host
1. Ova are laid on the tips of the leaves of
host willows, cottonwoods, aspens, etc.
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities How to recognize
immatures on host
2. First, second, and third instars create a
conspicuous perch on the hostplant
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities How to recognize
immatures on host
3. Pre-Diapausal third instars construct a
rolled-leaf hibernaculum
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities Insuring that ova do not
desiccate
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities Expose 2nd instar larvae
to 24 hours of light to insure that they dont
build hibernacula and go through to adult!
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities Wintering Hibernacula
Techniques
Key Humidity, Airflow and Protection from
Predation!
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Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys
Strategic Similarities Pushing Larvae Through
to Adult
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http//www.utahlepsociety.org
Tips on Raising North American Limenitis
(Basilarchia) species
Thank You!