December 12. The caterpillars molt during dormancy--a surprise to me. This object was found just outside one of the two open ends of the web shelter that houses the one caterpillar that is overwintering in the container where it fed, a plastic bowl lined with paper. This specimen made a shelter between layers of paper instead of lodging in the bottom of the tank. The shed exoskeleton was not attached to the caterpillar. Maybe the gaps the caterpillars leave at the ends of the webbing are functional: these gaps allow expulsion of molted shells.

The exoskeleton is 1/4 inch from tip to tip. It would be longer if straightened out.

Since December 7, the caterpillars have been indoors, in a cold room. I brought in the tank when possibly lethal cold weather approached.