What and why? - Orgyia leucostigma

Moved

Moved from Moths.

… Charley Eiseman, 16 October, 2013 - 6:34pm

Moved

… john and jane balaban, 5 October, 2013 - 8:50pm

Tussock moth

This looks to me like a white-marked tussock moth, and honestly, I would have said that was a tussock moth cocoon if you hadn't said that caterpillar had made it. I just looked in Wagner's book on owlet caterpillars, and he says funerary dagger caterpillars pupate in soft wood. This explains my observation that the cocoon seemed to have more "paddles" than the caterpillar did. Take a look at this photo of a white-marked tussock moth caterpillar, and you'll see that it has lots of black paddle-like hairs by its head.

I presume that this moth emerged from your cocoon; I don't think a female pupa would be emitting pheromones that would attract a male.

… Charley Eiseman, 15 September, 2013 - 8:52pm

UPDATE . . . . .

Seems you you are the expert :)
Made hubby hold the flashlight whilst I tried another macro shot.
I'll add the pix.
I'm thinking there's an empty carapace (sorry. don't know the terminology) in there.
In the AM I'll release the tussock moth and do a little dissecting.
This was truly quite a coincidence. One species caterpillar . . . a cocoon appears in the same spot a day or two later . . and two weeks later . . a different species emerges. Wow. What are the chances?
Thanks again for your reasoned and considered approach.

… Cathy Wilson, 15 September, 2013 - 9:51pm

It is a truly odd coincidence

that both species have those paddle-like hairs. I can't think of any other caterpillars that have those.

… Charley Eiseman, 15 September, 2013 - 10:00pm

Just a further thought . . .

Charley. I wish we could visit. Failing that, I'd love you to have character references from friends and family. Please be assured . . . my account of that cocoon/pupa appearing in the precise spot ( within 5 square inches) of the funerary caterpillar I photographed the previous evening - is accurate and truthful.

And dang. . . . how do we explain the "paddle-like" swellings on those hairs . . that the tussock moth caterpillar seems to lack?

I'm still baffled.

Anyway. The cloth/moth/ pupa are in the garage tonight. I guess closer inspection might settle the matter.

… Cathy Wilson, 15 September, 2013 - 9:21pm

The caterpillar DOES have paddle-like hairs

As I said, look at the clusters of black paddle-like hairs by its head. They are smaller than the paddles on the paddle moth caterpillar, just like the ones on the cocoon are.
And yes, a close look would settle whether or not the pupa is still intact.

… Charley Eiseman, 15 September, 2013 - 9:29pm

FYI

Here is my White-marked Tussock Moth cocoon...

… Yurika Alexander, 15 September, 2013 - 10:40pm

Perfect capper . . Yurika!

Looks mighty familiar . . . :)

… Cathy Wilson, 15 September, 2013 - 10:52pm

Fascinating. Truly.

And thank you.

… Cathy Wilson, 15 September, 2013 - 9:06pm