MAY: Owl Butterfly EGGS
Host plants: Banana (Musa, Ensete), Canna Lily, Ginger, Bamboo, Bird of Paradise
Difficulty: Easy (2/10)
Temperature: Room temperature; adult butterflies may appreciate some warmth
Lifecycle: adults are long-lived and can live for several months; caterpillars become huge!
Owl butterflies from South and Central America. These are very easy to look after at all stages, although caterpillars do eat a lot! The larval stage lasts around 1-2 months, followed by 3 weeks as pupae, then adults which can live for months at a time (I have had individuals live for more than 5 months!). The adult butterflies are big and robust, feeding on fruit juices or sugar water depending on what you offer them. Banana mashed with some honey is a particularly rich food and adored by these butterflies. I would recommend a cage size of 90cm or larger in height for the adult butterflies due to their size, or a greenhouse if this option is available to you.