Overwintering Techniques > Alpine Overwintering Technique
Utah butterfly collector Jacque Wolfe devised the alpine overwintering technique which satisfies the three important criteria of overwintering—that butterfly eggs, caterpillars, and pupae be provided airflow, humidity, and protection. Immatures are placed inside squat tubs that have tens of thousands of needle holes. These "holy containers" are placed inside either a screen-riveted five gallon bucket or a heavy duty screen cage. This setup is found in a high elevation Utah mountain bog where plenty of winter snow provides more or less constant humidity.
This method especially accommodates sensitive immatures such as Lycaenid ova, Limenitis hibernacula, Melitaeinae half-grown larvae, and especially unfed Speyeria and Cercyonis first instar larvae.
Please remember that this technique is more principle-driven than method-driven. In other words, Jacque was innovative in deciding to overwinter sensitive immatures in holy squat tubs, hanging in screened five gallon buckets over alpine bogs in the tops of the mountains of Utah. However, you yourself can create a setup that satisfies the same criteria with a completely different methodology. Simply remember the three main criteria, that immatures need humidity (to avoid dessication), airflow (to avoid mold), and protection from predators.
This method especially accommodates sensitive immatures such as Lycaenid ova, Limenitis hibernacula, Melitaeinae half-grown larvae, and especially unfed Speyeria and Cercyonis first instar larvae.
Please remember that this technique is more principle-driven than method-driven. In other words, Jacque was innovative in deciding to overwinter sensitive immatures in holy squat tubs, hanging in screened five gallon buckets over alpine bogs in the tops of the mountains of Utah. However, you yourself can create a setup that satisfies the same criteria with a completely different methodology. Simply remember the three main criteria, that immatures need humidity (to avoid dessication), airflow (to avoid mold), and protection from predators.
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Screened Five Gallon Bucket
Take a five gallon bucket and cut away large rectangular sections and attach nylon netting with rivots. Place diapausing larvae (Limenitis hibernacula) etc., inside containers filled with tens of thousands of tiny holes inside this bucket. Attach to the branch of a tree. (Mind you, this is one of many different ways of doing this.)
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Five Gallon Bucket with Screen
This is the same bucket as photographed in the spring.
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Squat Tub Containers
These are Jacque's "holy containers" poked with thousands of holes to insure airflow.
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Limenitis Hibernacula in Squat Tubs
Photo of Limenitis weidemeyeri latifascia third instar hibernacula in holy squat tubs.
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Base Screen Cage
This is a large screen cage that holds dozens of holy containers containing overwintering eggs, caterpillars, and pupae.