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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Moths » Bombycoidea » Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths (Saturniidae) » Silkmoths (Saturniinae) » Saturniini » Antheraea » Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757 (Antheraea polyphemus)
Photo#334703
Antheraea polyphemus cat. Ready to form cocoon? - Antheraea polyphemus
Copyright © 2009 Seb

Antheraea polyphemus cat. Ready to form cocoon? - Antheraea polyphemus
Columbia, on the MKT trail, Boone County, Missouri, USA
September 19, 2009
The polyphemus cat that I'm raising seems to have fixed itself to this leaf fragment (you can see the silk threads it has woven by its prolegs) and its head has turned a darker shade. I'm guessing this means it is ready to make a cocoon but I don't know much about the actual process of how it goes about doing that. I was wondering if you guys have any knowledge you can impart on me or a website to recommend.
Thanks!

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Antheraea polyphemus cat. Ready to form cocoon? - Antheraea polyphemus Antheraea polyphemus cat. Ready to form cocoon? - Antheraea polyphemus Antheraea polyphemus cat. Ready to form cocoon? - Antheraea polyphemus
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Contributed by Seb on 19 September, 2009 - 12:53pm

not yet
This polyphemus larva isn't ready to make its cocoon yet. It is getting ready to shed it's skin. It will grow very large and after about a week and a half it will make its cocoon.

Caterpillars usually spin a silken pad like this one to hold onto while it sheds. The head its becoming detached so that the bigger new one underneath will have room to form.
… Ryan, 19 September, 2009 - 2:13pm login or register to post comments

 
It was a pretty cool site to see
If you get the chance could you take a look at the Acronicta americana I'm raising?
Thanks for your help, both of you!
… Seb, 19 September, 2009 - 5:57pm login or register to post comments

just keep watching him..
he'll do it right before your eyes. put WLSS silkmoth in your search..google etc,, there is a rearing article there.
… shotguneddie, 19 September, 2009 - 1:27pm login or register to post comments

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