White Admirals overwinter in hibernaculi as cats. After their second molt, the cats stop eating and go into diapause. Storing cats in an unheated garage may work, though I have never overwintered cats before.

Berger,

That is so exciting that you found the White Admiral Cats. You will want to keep the willow that you bring in in an air-tight container. Large enough to contain air for the caterpillars. I use a large plastic container that is about 14 inches tall and 10 inches across. It fits nicely over the willow which I put in a small vase and cover the top with a small piece of foil so the caterpillars can't get down in the water. Willow dries out quickly. I've never raised the White Admirals, as we don't have them here, but I've raised Red Spotted Purples and lots of Viceroys.

I have pictures of what the hibernaculum looks like in my gallery on Pbase. I'll include the link for you.

Sandy

Here is a link to the photos. There are five that show the process of making the hibernaculum. If you select next in the right hand corner of the page, it will take you to each one. The final photo shows the winter form. I left these on the tree and then brought them in the following spring and finished raising them. So, you do want to provide a cold environment for them through the winter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Building a hibernaculum

The eggs turned out to be duds:(:(:(:(

Sandy,
Your pictures are incredible! Thanks for posting the link. You have raised some beautiful and interesting butterlfies. Thank you again!

Michelle

Thanks, Michelle. Berger, I am so sorry your eggs weren't viable. That happens from time to time. Don't give up, you may find more eggs on the same plant in the future, or even caterpillars.