The first specimen found created much interest and discussion. Unfortunately, the quest to rear a ‘squirty’ was filled with many disappointments. On returning home with our latest discovery, it was noted that the container had a gaping hole in it, and that our newly found specimen had escaped. This incident increased our resolve to rear this little ‘Houdini’ and, therefore, many more trips to Franklyn Park were undertaken with differing levels of success.

  Finding more specimens was not always easy and there were other issues to contend with. Parasitoids are always problematic – most disappointing was when an almost fully grown larva that was being reared was found to be suspended over a bed of parasitoid cocoons. Furthermore, having a fresh supply of plant material to feed the larvae, was a critical issue. The food could only be kept in the refrigerator for so long before wilting. Poor food quality also leads to the demise of any larvae being reared. Heat and humidity are factors affecting rearing success as mould thrives under such conditions.

After a number of seasons of failure, Allison discovered a batch of squirty larvae on a young knobwood tree at the lower end of the forest. These larvae were treated like royalty from the Lepidoptera world and successfully reared to pupation. Some weeks later the adult moths started to eclose. Having expected a spectacular moth from this weird larva, there was discernible disappointment when a typically drab moth emerged.

  Another specimen that created much interest was a day-flying moth from the top of the Mariepskop Mountain. Siting on the tip of a dry twig, above a batch of dozens of eggs was a beautiful day-flying moth. Collecting eggs is always high-risk as sometimes the eggs are not deposited on the actual larval host plant. In this case, samples of surrounding vegetation were collected to provide a range of choices to the hatching larvae with the hope of one hitting the jackpot.

  Enquiries were made about this moth species, to determine what the larvae may feed on. As far as the species is concerned, experts could only provide a genus and the species remained a mystery. However, some critical information on this particular genus was provided. On emergence from the egg, the larvae of this group must find some swampy water to drink as they need of the bacteria present in such water, to assist with digestion.

  When the larvae started to hatch, we realized that all the plant material we had harvested was of no benefit. My wife Tertia suggested we try something from our fishpond. Hastily a variety of plants from the pond were sampled, put in containers, and the hatched larvae, now christened ‘swamp-monsters’, placed on the plant material.