Owl Moth Care

Background

Owl Moths, Brahmaea species, also known as Brahmin Moths, is a smallish family of around 20 moths native to Eurasia. The species most commonly available in captivity are B. tancrei (Siberian Owl), B. wallichii (Wallich's Owl), B. hearseyi (Hearsey's Owl). Another species, europaea, is considered the sole member of its own sub-family, Acanthobrahmaea, an ancient species found only in the vicinity of a single extinct volcano in Italy. This care guide is written in reference to the aforementioned species, but the methods can also be applied to other members of the genus.

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Brahmaea hearseyi

A freshly emerged adult from the 2024 season exhibiting fantastically intricate patterning.

Eggs

Brahmaea eggs should be kept in closed plastic containers to prevent them drying out. The eggs will typically darken from a pale yellow-white or grey colour to almost black before hatching - this is a sign of the caterpillar developing within. At this point, they will benefit from extra humidity as this softens the egg shell, allowing the caterpillar to chew its way out more easily. Many caterpillars will then consume some or all of the remaining egg shell, but others immediately begin searching for host plant material.

Moisture 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. Only mist very finely, and only when the eggs have turned black or very dark grey.

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

Caterpillars

The best host plants for these moths include Privet (Ligustrum), Lilac (Syringa), and Ash (Fraxinus). Privet is ideal winter rearing as it is evergreen and can therefore be used at any time of year.

You can add leaves to their container once the caterpillars hatch, but do not add any prior to this as leaves release moisture and this often causes the eggs to mould before hatching. We prefer to transfer hatchlings to a new container so that eggs are not affected, as hatchlings are large and robust in Brahmaea.  

Move caterpillars to a mesh enclosure with host plant stems stood in a jar or vase of water when they reach the third or fourth stage.

When caterpillars are mature and fully-grown, they will begin to search for somewhere to pupate. In nature, the larvae 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 our preferred method, as it is simpler and cleaner and easier to check on the larvae and subsequent pupae.  

Pupation typically occurs around 4-5 weeks after the caterpillar hatches from the egg. Rearing is not at all challenging following standard methods.

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Mature Brahmaea tancrei larva

At maturity in L5, the caterpillars lose their antennae-like tubercles, and transition from a pale green/yellow to brown with a constellation of black and white patterning.

Pupae & Adults

B. tancrei and europaea are both univoltine, meaning they have only one brood per year, with the pupae overwintering. After leaving the pupae for approximately 2 weeks to form and harden, remove them from the substrate and store in a cold place until springtime. In the spring, or whenever is convenient, remove the pupae from cold storage and treat as you would any other pupae being incubated for emergence.

In B. hearseyi and wallichii, multiple broods can occur annually, although they can also be stored cold to induce diapause (a sort of hibernation) following the above method. Alternatively, you can incubate pupae to emerge, in which case the moths will hatch after only around 4-6 weeks.

Adult moths require minimal care. They do not eat, having minimally functional mouth parts, however they may drink water if offered (this has been observed in tancrei). A 60cm mesh cage would be ample size for around several adults, whilst a 90cm cage could accommodate larger numbers. Breeding occurs easily with good air flow.

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

    Brahmaea tancrei

  • Live eggs and pupae for sale online UK

    Brahmaea hearseyi

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

    Brahmaea tancrei