Polyphemus caterpillar cocoon (Antheraea polyphemus) - Antheraea polyphemus - BugGuide.Net

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths (Bombycoidea) » Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths (Saturniidae) » Silkmoths (Saturniinae) » Saturniini » Antheraea » Polyphemus Moth - Hodges#7757 (Antheraea polyphemus)

Photo#1519970

Copyright © 2018 Brett Hondow

Polyphemus caterpillar cocoon (Antheraea polyphemus) - Antheraea polyphemus

Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
April 22, 2017

Found this in a small tree last year. Is this some variety of praying mantis egg sac? It was about 2-3 inches long and well-camouflaged with leaves. Appears to have hatched. Thanks to the suggestions, I now know it's a Polyphemus caterpillar cocoon (Antheraea polyphemus). I have seen plenty of Polyphemus caterpillars in the area but I am yet to see the large silk moth they become.

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Contributed by Brett Hondow on 14 May, 2018 - 1:22am
Last updated 10 October, 2020 - 12:37pm

Moved

Moved from Giant Silkworm and Royal Moths.

… Ryan St Laurent, 10 October, 2020 - 12:37pm

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Saturniidae

This is a cocoon of one of the giant silk moths; I'm not sure which one. Perhaps an expert from your area could narrow it down for you.

… Ken Allison, 14 May, 2018 - 8:06am

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Thanks Ken, I'll look into it

Thanks Ken, I'll look into it.

… Brett Hondow, 14 May, 2018 - 10:48am

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I wonder if it could be the c

I wonder if it could be the cocoon of one of the Saturniidae moths? Here's an example: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1303339/bgimage

… Maggie Furtak, 14 May, 2018 - 8:05am

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Thanks Maggie, doh, I could s

Thanks Maggie, doh, I could slap myself in the forehead! I should have guessed it. You are completely right, as I have seen and photographed many large Polyphemus caterpillars (Antheraea polyphemus) in the same immediate area. I just never associated these cocoons with them. I appreciate the help. :)

… Brett Hondow, 14 May, 2018 - 10:52am

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