February’s Cocoon Check
Posted by Mary in 
Even though I’ve been checking on the cocoons regularly every month, life’s been so hectic that I missed several entries. Time to catch up! I’d love for spring to be close so my moths could come out soon, but it’s snowing today, and the groundhog saw his shadow. I always hope he’s wrong.
The leaves worked into the cocoons are dry and crumbly now, but the trio is still doing well. I can feel their weight when I hold them. The luna hasn’t wriggled in a while and isn’t as heavy as the cecropias, yet its healthy heft remains. Everything’s business as usual for these buggies. It’s simply a matter of time.
It occurs to me that I actually haven’t shown what these moths are going to look like in their adult forms. I’ve painted both species:
Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora Cecropia) – two of these will eclose.
Luna Moth (Actias luna) – one of these will eclose.
The cecropias I intend to keep, hopefully mate, and eventually pin or preserve after their natural deaths. I originally got the luna moth to share with my dad, but now that he’s passed away, I’ve decided I may release it at the grave site a day or two after it ecloses. It’s the best way I can think of to still share it with him, and since luna moths are a native species in my area, it won’t interfere with the environment.
Of course, I’m raising moths because I’m most interested in their lives, but it’s tricky for me to talk about that stage just yet since I haven’t experienced it! I’ve never even seen either of these species in person before despite their known presence in my area. I can’t wait to share these moths’ days, take pictures, maybe even do a video or streaming session with them live. It’s a true test of patience to make it to spring, but we’re more than halfway there.
