Overwintering Techniques > Your Own Backyard
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Large Squat Tub with Desert Orangetip Pupae
This is a photo of a squat tub with orangetip pupae. The side of the squat tub has full data for these pupae. I make sure that this squat tub has intermittant high humidity during the winter; either by saturating the sand at the base of the terrarium, mist spraying or spritzing the squat tub with water, or by placing lots of snow inside the large box. Once these pupae have been exposed to 90-150 days of cold temperatures, they can be brought in and coaxed to break hibernation and emerge. However, desert species such as the desert orangetip, extend hibernation for up to 11 years.
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Terrarium
In order to provide and somewhat maintain humidity in this setup, I have poured sand into the bottom and saturated (about once a month) with water. I also throw in snow from time to time in the box (but not directly over the terrarium) to simulate natural outdoor humidity.
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Ten Gallon Glass Terrarium
This is a ten gallon glass terrarium with a screen lid that holds several 36 ounce squat tubs with swallowtail and orangetip pupae.
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Glass Terrarium inside Wooden Box
The glass terrarium is protected with a 10 gallon terrarium screen and secured with rope to dissuade rodents from trying to get in.
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Wooden Box with Lid
This is a wooden box with a wooden lid where I place terrariums with butterfly immatures. I usually don't keep the lid on quite as square as shown in this photo. I like to keep the lid somewhat offset to increase airflow. Please note that I don't put immatures into this setup in Northern Utah until Thanksgiving when I can count on consistent cold days and cold nights where most signs of "Indian summer" have passed.
