Hand Pairing vs. Greenhouse Natural Breeding

[Mike Leski]

Marc and everyone-
 
I kept a light on the female that slightly warmed the box.  They don't usually flap or try to fly, and keeping a lot of host plant in the box helps prevent this.  I'm not sure if there were any odd males, no dramatic forms emerged, and females were normal.  But, when you see a fresh one you realize how they got their name!  I'm looking for a photo of calverleyi, if anyone knows of one.
 
I raised these to see if any odd ones would pop up.  I've taken a pseudoamericus near Houston, and also P. americus asterius from Fronton, TX, on a day that I observed over a 100 polyxenes in two hours.  Chris Durden gave me the second name.  He also believes the Texas pseudoamericus are actually a distinct species more common further south, especially Mexico.  The RGV crew regularly report sightings and photographs of this bug, see their website.
 
I'm interested in pseudoamericus because I suspect it may be a 'superbreeder' that can outcompete other males in mating territorial battles, which are won based on their band width.  A similar phenomenom has been observed in mammals, where very large males occasionally are found in a population, emigrate, and spread their genetic wealth.
 
Mike
 
PS:  I learned this week that someone raises leps in Reno, NV, perhaps commercially.  You might try the Lep soceity membership directory to track down a breeder.

Glaucus <glaucus at earthlink.net> wrote:
Hi Mike,
 
Thanks very much! You're the fourth person who's had the experience of using a small container sucessfully with Papilios. I always assumed that a large greenhouse was the answer. That way, the females could be collected and placed in there, allowed to fly around and mate or lay eggs as they would in the wild. Several people seem to find heating them up via lights is the best way, and many people use small containers. I just can't imagine a Swallowtail even flapping in a shoebox, let alone calming down enough to lay eggs. Very interesting! Out of curiouity, were your "full banded" males normal, or unique in the banding somehow (i.e. calverleyi)? Thanks again very much! I'll have to try the close-quarters method this Spring.
 
Best Regards,
 
Marc
 
P.S.  I'm on the look out for chrysalises of rutulus or canadensis to overwinter. If you happen to know of anyone who has any, I'd appreciate you letting me know. Thanks!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mike Leski 
To: glaucus at earthlink.net 
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 10:46 AM
Subject: Re: Hand Pairing vs. Greenhouse Natural Breeding


Two years ago, I netted 4 female P. polyxenes near Houston for a rearing study.  (I had never tried this before, and can not grow plants, etc.)  One female was very fresh, possibly newly-emerged, and did not produce eggs.  A second was very worn and died after several days.  A third laid about 20 eggs, and the fourth produced ~60.  I used a running shoe box, cut out the top, exposed the adults to constant light, store-bought carrot sprigs, and fed them sugar water daily.  Many of the eggs did not adhere to the carrot, but cats emerged nonetheless.  Larvae died by the second instar on carrot, so I moved them to dill.  None died on the dill.  I eventually managed 35 pupae, and 15 emerged, two at >10,000 feet while on vacation.  I had to put the others in storage, and they eventually died.  The males were full-banded, and the females appeared normal.  I did not attempt to breed the adults.
 
Mike

Glaucus <glaucus at earthlink.net> wrote:
I'm not sure if any study has been done on this topic or not. I'm curious to
know what your opinions are on using one method over the other for reering
Swallowtails. As the easiest butterflies to hand pair, many people rely on
this method. However, I have heard some reports that aside from frequent
failures, the females often produce low numbers of ova, a high percentage of
which are not fertile. Conversely, relying on a more "wild" method, for
example a greenhouse or large flight cage, will only produce matings if both
sexes are interested in doing so.

I have had very poor results with netting wild females, presumeably that
have mated already, and obtaining ova in a greenhouse atmosphere. Last year,
I collected a number of various species that were egg-laying in the wild,
and placed them in a 10' x 10' greenhouse, only to have very very few eggs
laid. Alternatively, the only successful hand pairing I've ever had was with
Luna moths. Any ideas or experiences???

Thanks everyone!

Marc in Chicago
glaucus at earthlink.net




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