Atlas Moth Caterpillar

caterpillar stage supplies 

Cocoons:
Pin the cocoon headside up with a paperclip and gently mist every day until hatching.

Adults:
Keep adults in Mesh enclosures, Green houses or free flying. Adults do not feed in this stage of their life cycle.

Larvae:
The larvae feed well on Privet. They require very clean conditions, always with fresh food. Alternative recorded foodplants include Willows, Lilac, Apple, Plum, Ash, Cherry and Tree of Heaven Ailanthus. Atlas larvae like to browse on several foodplants and settle for the one or more that they like.

The larvae like warmth 25 -30 degrees C and humid jungle conditions, which are best achieved in a tank or plastic container, rather than a netting cage. Given these conditions the larvae are not difficult to rear, and spin cocoons in about 8 weeks from hatching.