Tips on Raising North American Limenitis (Basilarchia) species http://www.utahlepsociety.org Tips on Raising North American Limenitis (Basilarchia) species Presented by Todd Stout Utah Lepidopterists’ Society April 8, 2006

Ova: Normally laid on the tip of the leaf Limenitis immatures: Ova: Normally laid on the tip of the leaf

Early instars: Larvae construct conspicuous perch Limenitis immatures: Early instars: Larvae construct conspicuous perch

Pre-diapausal third instars construct a rolled-leaf hibernaculum Limenitis immatures: Pre-diapausal third instars construct a rolled-leaf hibernaculum

Limenitis hibernacula: Attached to willow branch with silk 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

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.

Limenitis immatures: Fifth instars

Limenitis immatures: Prepupa

Limenitis immatures: Pupa

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Note: Strategies for raising Viceroys as compared to banded admirals and purples are very similar with one key exception.

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.

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities Collecting and Obtaining ova from live females (Setting up oviposition cage) How to recognize immatures on host—ova, 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

Repeating Theme of Rearing Admirals: Whether it’s 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!

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!

Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus 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.

Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus Tips of Raising North American Limenitis butterflies 8 April 2006 Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus Non-archippus: Female oviposition preference

Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus 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

Rearing L. archippus vs. non-archippus 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

L. archippus fifth instar L. weidemeyeri fifth instar L. a. arizonensis fifth instar L. lorquini fifth instar

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: Collecting and Obtaining ova from live females (Setting up oviposition cage)

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.

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

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: How to recognize immatures on host 3. Pre-Diapausal third instars construct a rolled-leaf hibernaculum

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: Insuring that ova do not desiccate

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: Expose 2nd instar larvae to 24 hours of light to insure that they don’t build hibernacula and go through to adult!

Key: Humidity, Airflow and Protection from Predation! Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: Wintering Hibernacula Techniques Key: Humidity, Airflow and Protection from Predation!

Rearing Banded Admirals vs. Viceroys Strategic Similarities: Pushing Larvae Through to Adult

Tips on Raising North American Limenitis (Basilarchia) species http://www.utahlepsociety.org Tips on Raising North American Limenitis (Basilarchia) species Thank You!