Hyalophora cecropia freshly molted from 4th to 5th instar - Hyalophora cecropia

Just found one in our small cherry tree

Hello, I was wondering, since you raise these beauties, if you could give us a general time line for caterpillar to moth? Our cat was found on a small cherry tree in the middle of a field. Do you think that it will make it's transformation on this tree? I home school my daughter and she has gotten very interested in insects. I don't feel comfortable capturing/containing the big fella. I worry that we would harm it. My daughter has seen many spynx moths, two polyphemus moths and now a cecropia caterpillar. We are all just amazed at the general size of it!
I would appreciate any little tidbits you could offer. Thanks so much for your time.

… Joyce Gatchel, 25 August, 2009 - 4:01pm

Soon! ;)

Hi Joyce,
I looked at your photo and from the orange tubercles on your cecropia cat it is in it 5th and final instar so should be spinning soon (maybe by the time you have read this). They do wander a bit before spinning but is likely on that same tree if it is by itself and not adjacent to others. So look on branches and/or on the trunk as they will make their cocoons there as well.

You can then flag the cocoon and watch for it next summer or, to experience its eclosion you could put a sleeve over the branch to keep it safe from birds then bring it in next spring so you and your daughter can actually watch it emerge then release it. You can use a 5 gallon painter's sleeve (any paint or hardware store carries them for a couple dollars). Email me directly for more info if you'd like.

Bonnie

… Bonnie Caruthers, 29 August, 2009 - 5:29pm

Instar differences

How do you tell apart the instars of a cecropia moth by the scoli? Is there a document or book somewhere where I could get this information?

… David Schlachter, 23 August, 2005 - 11:08am

Scoli color

Hi David,

The first and second instar are so different - 1st black (mostly) and the 2nd yellow/gold with black scoli - that the scoli color is used from the 3rd-5th, not only for instar but apparently for species i.d. (eg: H. columbia, H. euryalus, etc.). I only raise H. cecropia but I know from pics there are strong similarities among others.

As for resource there may very well be info online and elsewhere, but mine is garnered from The Wild Silk Moths of North America: A Natural History of the Saturniidae of the United States and Canada By Paul M. Tuskes, James P. Tuttle, Michael M. Collins Cornell University Press, 1996 (which is listed here on page two of the Lep books). It contains a chart listing the colors/location by instar and species. It's a pricey book for just the chart ;) lol! but if you have an interest in these creatures it is worth every penny. I see from your profile that you are a student so this book might be too much (runs about $80 US), but if you have a university near you there is a good chance their library will have it. I borrowed it from a university library for a few years before I got my own copy. Hope this is helpful!

lele

… Bonnie Caruthers, 23 August, 2005 - 4:54pm

Fantastik Foto, Lele!

... if you would like to present some instar series at Moth Photographers Group with text regarding the biology of species and rearing techniques, please email me at BPatter789@aol.com.

… Bob Patterson, 23 August, 2005 - 7:18am

Thanks!

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the compliment ;) I am familiar with your website/project and will contact you!

lele

… Bonnie Caruthers, 23 August, 2005 - 4:30pm