Eyed, Poplar & Lime Hawk-moth Care

ggs should be kept in closed plastic containers to prevent them drying out. They will typically darken from a pale yellow-white colour to almost black before hatching. When the eggs start hatching, the young caterpillars will benefit from extra humidity at this time, which can be applied by finely misting the inside lid of the container - do not spray directly onto the eggs or allow them to sit in water droplets as this can drown the embryo or cause mould to grow, killing the developing caterpillar before it can hatch.

The best host plants for Poplar Hawk Moths include: Poplar, Birch, Willow. For Eyed Hawks: Willow, Apple, Birch, Cherry. Lime Hawks eat a variety of plants, Lime is the best but they also accept Willow, Birch, Cherry, and others. Willow is my favourite host plant to use for all three species.

You can add leaves to their container once the caterpillars hatch, but do not add any prior to this as leaves will release moisture and this often causes the eggs to mould before hatching. I prefer to transfer hatchlings to a new container so that eggs are not affected. Pupation typically occurs around 4-5 weeks after the caterpillar hatches from the egg. Rearing is very easy following standard methods.

When caterpillars are mature and fully-grown, they will begin to search for somewhere to pupate. In nature, they burrow underground and construct a small chamber within which they pupate. In captivity, you can provide a tray of compost for the caterpillars to pupate among, or move them to another container full of paper towel. The latter is my preferred method, as it is simpler and cleaner.

All three species tend to produce a spring brood and summer brood, however dormancy can be induced by storing spring pupae under cold conditions shortly after they are formed. Summer pupae naturally overwinter and will emerge after a period of cold.

Adult moths require minimal care. They do not eat, having no mouth parts, requiring only ample space to fly. A 60cm mesh cage would be ample size for around 10-15 adults, whilst a 90cm cage could accommodate larger numbers.

  • Caring for Eggs & Caterpillars

  • Live butterfly pupae for sale online UK

    Caring for Pupae & Cocoons

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Caring for Adult Butterflies & Moths

  • Native Butterfly Care

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Morpho Butterfly Care

  • Actias luna eggs and cocoons for sale online UK

    Moon Moth Care

  • Passionvine Butterfly Care

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Death's Head Hawk-moth Care

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Citrus Swallowtail Care

  • Live moth eggs for sale online UK

    Elephant Hawk-Moth Care

  • Emperor Moth Care

  • Eyed, Poplar & Lime Hawk-Moth Care

  • Live eggs, caterpillars and cocoons for sale online UK

    Oak Silk-Moth Care

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Old World Swallowtail Care

  • Owl Butterfly Care

  • Live butterflies and moths for sale online UK. Buy eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and cocoons. Watch the lifecycle unfold with insects to rear at home!

    Regal & Imperial Moth Care

  • Owl Moth Care