forced eclosure

[Adam Fleishman]

Hello,

I have been hired to provide some adult silk moths for a filming crew.
They want to film during the first week in March.
As of yesterday, I brought the cocoons indoors.
They have been set up inside a 10 gallon tank with a peat/soil mix on the
bottom.
I'm using flourescent light about 14-16 hours a day.
The indoor temp in the house is about 70 during the day and 60-65 at night.
The cocoons have been outside since last fall.
The species are: A. luna, A. polyphemus, H. cecropia, A. io, S. cynthia, C.
promethea and C. regalis.
I haven't had occasion to try this one too many times, so I'm inerested in
any ideas that have worked.
The Producer is aware that the middle of winter isn't the best time, but
they want to try now anyway.
So, if anyone is has any ideas, I'd be interested to hear them.
Thanks,
Adam Fleishman
e-mail: Tibicens at worldnet.att.net