Large-scale artificial breeding of Kallima inachus Doubleday

Some essential conditions for the large-scale breeding of Kallima inachus Doubleday were studied,including the spatial need and the supplementary nutrients for reproduction,and those for egg hatching,larva growing and pupa emerging.At the density of 2 adults/m²,each female adult laid 245.7 eggs on average in a net garden of 50 m² and 3 m high;10%—20% concentration of water solution of honey was adequate for the adults to reproduce,with the average egg-laying of 236.8-243.3 per female,and an addition of alcohol of 5% concentration in the food can tempt them to feed,with the average egg-laying rising up to 279.8 per female.Eggs laid everyday must be collected into small glass bottles in time to prevent the damage from natural enemies,afterward put aside the foliage of host plant nearing hatching.Larvae of 1st and 2nd instars should be raised on live host plants and protected by a nylon bag,with a density of 100—150 larvae per bag and those of 3rd to 5th instars could be raised indoors,and the proper density should be 600—800 larvae/m²,the temperature should be controlled between 19—28℃.Pupae emerged perfectly when picked off from the objects they attached,but should not be preserved at low temperatures.