EU Nymphalis antiopa & Mimathyma ambica Livestock Required!

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iris scientist, 28.02.2018 17:50

Dear all,

Many initial apologies for my use of English here.

Over the last eight years I have actively working on a research project to elucidate the components essential to the successful natural copulation of butterflies belonging to family Apaturinae (the Emperors). As part of this work I am also exploring certain aspects of the biology of Nymphalis antiopa (here called the Camberwell Beauty), which if you are unaware has 2 distinct populations based in the USA and another in Europe. Unlike the European populations (which do not breed in captivity and only have a single generation per year), the USA populations happily breed in captivity and have up to 4 generations per year. I have recently analysed the wing compounds of these 2 different populations via GC-MS (see attached) and have identified that the US populations appear to possess an additional (presumed) contact pheromone compound (n-Tetracosane), which is comparable to many other similar pheromone compounds that I have identified in other Nymphalidae species.

My reason for contacting you all here is because I would very much like to try synthetic application of this (n-Tetracosane), compound onto the wings of EU specimens in order to ascertain if this makes any difference in captive breeding or generation numbers in the EU specimens? Unfortunately unlike where you are based, this species are not native to UK are due to their lack of captive breeding opportunities, are rarely (if ever) possible to acquire here in the UK. I wondered therefore if any of you, or any of your associated entomology contacts might please have any opportunity to acquire any diapausing adults of this species, or alternatively might have access to any early season pupae in which we might please be able to test your current hypothesis during the coming 2018 season?

My project has also been DESPERATELY trying locate some Mimathyma ambica livesstock for a number of years without success. I have MUCH experience with breeding and rearing Apaturinae and can successfully rear Apatura stock continually 12 months of the year (without diapause).

Any/all assistance that any of you might please be able to provide in relation to this matter, really would be very much appreciated and would be of great assistance to the progression of our research this season. I will eagerly await and response back from you, in regards to this matter. Many kind and continued regards,

Mark
(iris scientist)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PFKmfb3Mi62SyAyA3

This post was edited by iris scientist - 02/28/2018 19: 10