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Posts tagged “Cecropia Moth  Cecropia Moths Pupating  11-11-13
cecropia cocoon dissected  056Our largest North American native
moth, the Cecropia Moth, Hyalophora cecropia, spends the winter
as a pupa inside a cleverly-crafted 3” – 4”-long shelter, or
cocoon, which it creates and attaches lengthwise to a branch
while still in its larval stage. The Cecropia caterpillar, with
the silk glands located near its mouthparts, spins not one, but
two silk cases, one inside the other. In between the two cases,
it spins many loose strands of very soft silk, presumably to
enhance the insulating properties of the cocoon. Inside the
inner case, the caterpillar splits its skin and transforms into
a pupa. Come spring, an adult moth will emerge from the pupal
case and exit the cocoon through one end which was intentionally
spun more loosely, allowing the moth to crawl out the somewhat
flexible tip. (Note: dissected cocoon was not viable.)
Cecropia Moth Cocoon  This