Re: Can you hatch the Mexican Jumping Bean caterpillar?

Hello Simon,

I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your Mexican jumping beans. You are very lucky to have them because they are quite difficult to get hold of in England. As you know, Mexican jumping beans contain the caterpillar of a small moth called Laspeyresia saltitans. In fact, the caterpillar pupates inside the 'bean' (actually the seed pod of a desert plant called Sebastiana pavoniana). When the beans stop jumping the caterpillar will have pupated. After this has happened (probably around November) place them in a sealed (but not air-tight) container such as a jam jar with a few small holes in the lid. Make sure the holes are smaller than the beans or the moths may escape through the holes before you have seen them. Keep the beans in a cool dry place and check them every day. All being well, the adult moths should emerge some time next spring.

For more information about Mexican jumping beans check out http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plaug97.htm

Good luck!

Rob Cruickshank