Caterpillar Butterfly Bombyx éri (Philosamia ricini) - Breeding and observation

The Eri Silk Moth Caterpillar is a true gem of nature, both in its appearance and its role in the production of Eri silk. With its soft color ranging from apple green to pale blue, it looks like something out of a tropical fairy tale. Its whitish tubercles, delicately placed on its back, give it the appearance of beaded armor, adding to its unique charm.

Native to Asia, the Bombyx Eri Butterfly Caterpillar is known for its insatiable appetite, particularly for castor oil plant leaves, which it tirelessly devours. However, it is flexible and also enjoys privet, lilac, and even white mulberry.

In breeding, this caterpillar impresses with its regular molts and rapid development, before becoming a nocturnal butterfly with velvety wings. The Bombyx Eri Butterfly Caterpillar is a perfect example of harmony between natural beauty and ecological utility.

🐛 Breeding Sheet: Caterpillar of the Bombyx Eri (Samia ricini)

Difficulty: Easy-. Breeding the Silkworm Butterfly (Philosamia ricini) and its caterpillar is not complex in itself for a serious breeder. The only difficulty lies in the incredible voracity of its caterpillar which literally does nothing but eat. It is not insurmountable but for an individual I strongly recommend that you do not take more than 4 caterpillars at a time. Otherwise, expect to go picking privet several times a day.

Imagine a standard-sized bouquet. That's about what 10 caterpillars eat (in privet, of course) PER DAY.

Temperature: 20-28°C

Humidity: 60-70%

Food :

• Castor leaves (his favorite food)
• Alternatively: privet, lilac, or even white mulberry leaves. Privet works very well, don't worry.

Breeding: Adult females lay eggs a few days after mating. The eggs incubate for 8 to 10 days before hatching into small, voracious caterpillars.

Personality: A friendly, calm, and easy-to-handle eater. Not very shy, she spends her days peacefully munching.

Lifetime :

• Caterpillar: 25 to 30 days, depending on temperature and food quality.
• Butterfly: 5 to 7 days, just enough time to find a partner.

Size :

• Caterpillar: Up to 10 cm in its last instar.
• Butterfly: Wingspan 12 to 15 cm.

Breeder's Note: An animal for which I had only a moderate interest at first but ultimately one of my favorites that made me want to offer several butterflies. The Bombyx eri butterfly (Philosamia ricini) is also the second butterfly that I offer.

Its ultra-fast life cycle (birth/death in 3 months with 4 phases) is very stimulating for the novice breeder. Not to mention its very impressive size (and this is as much for the caterpillar of the silkworm moth, as for its "adult" imago).