Welcome to the website of the project studying the taxonomy, biology and conservation ecology of the legendary moth Borearctia menetriesii. This work is based on an in-vitro population derived from a single Siberian female ex ovo in July 2011. Out of the 80 caterpillars about 30 survived until overwintering and less than ten into the spring. Four have developed into adults on a fast track, all males. See the details on the pages below...

Mouth parts

Submitted by saarenmaa on Mon, 04/23/2012 - 07:33

The attachment shows mouth parts of the caterpillars. Drawings by Matti Ahola.

Chara weather

Edited by saarenmaa on Wed, 12/28/2011 - 18:23

http://www.foreca.ru/Russia/Chara?lang=ru

See what kind of winter conditions the caterpillars are used to. Can someone please comment how much snow there is!

First male framed

Submitted by saarenmaa on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 12:03

Image design and copyright Matti Ahola.

Specimen: 
RUBIN AMIF 1

First male hatched

Edited by saarenmaa on Thu, 09/22/2011 - 09:13

The first specimen hatched 2011-09-21. Pupal time was just 15 days in intensive warmth and light, and total of development time 80 days without diapause from oviposition to adult.

Image copyright and ex ovo Matti Ahola.

Specimen: 
RUBIN AMIF 1

First pupation

Submitted by saarenmaa on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 22:19

We celebrate the first pupa, which was reached at 6 September 2011 in Matti Ahola's intensive care -- without any diapause.  The lenght of the the pupa is about 24 mm.  As the caterpillar was not very big, it is likely to be a male.

Do notice the very thin cocoon. Clearly not made for harsh environments, nor for long use.

Food preference table

Edited by saarenmaa on Fri, 08/26/2011 - 09:48

This table summarises the observations about food plant preference of the eight breeders.  The findings are preliminary and may change.  Legend of figures is at bottom.

Indeed, we now believe Larix is an important food plant in the majority of the species range.  In Fennoscandia it is not available at the natural habitat, and is replaced by various bog shrubs and herbs.

 

Caterpillars on Larix branches

Edited by saarenmaa on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 07:01

Larix sibirica has turned out to be a popular food plant among grown up caterpillars.

Reima Leinonen

Edited by saarenmaa on Mon, 08/22/2011 - 17:38

Reima Leinonen's rearing box serves the same food for caterpillars that can be found at the Kuhmo locality.

Setups to show the larva on possible natural substrates.

Edited by Kimmo on Sun, 08/21/2011 - 16:35

Last instar larva on Larix. A setup to show the larva on a possible natural substrate. See more photos in Library.

7th grader

Submitted by saarenmaa on Fri, 08/19/2011 - 07:50

Copyright Reima Leinonen.

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Scratchpads developed and conceived by: Vince Smith, Simon Rycroft, Dave Roberts, Ben Scott...