Submitted by Pamela Fry.
The above photo is a soon-to-be Cecropia moth. My husband found this in East Pembroke where he works. I have never seen a caterpillar like this before so I did some research on Google.
The scientific name for this creature is a Hyalophora cecropia, which is North America's largest native moth. These caterpillars molt four times during their life span. The picture above is the caterpillar's fifth instar so he/she will be spinning its cocoon very soon.
In a few weeks, the Cepropia moth will come out of the cocoon (see picture below). Since these types of moths do not have mouth parts, they are unable to eat. As a result, the lifespan of an adult Cecropia moth is typically only 7-10 days in the wild.
I found this creature to be very interesting and thought I would share it with you!
We found one last week.
We found one last week. First time for us. I was amazed at the size and the bright green color! I too, did a google search to find out more about it. It was funny...the cats were curiously looking at something in the grass, and that's when we discovered it. Or should I say, THEY discovered it. What a shame that the moth only lives such a short time. They're beautiful.
Thanks for sharing this!
That's awesome find, Pam. I
That's awesome find, Pam. I have also found similar creatures attracted to the porch light at the back door. This is a Polyphemus moth:
<img src="http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255114_1903491320988_165…; />
Another shot of the moth from
Another shot of the moth from the front:
<img src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/255073_1903886970879_165…; />
...Another exotic moth that
...Another exotic moth that occasionally shows up is the luna:
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm
North American moth and butterfly populations have been steadily declining mostly due to the introduction of a European parasitic fly to control gypsy moths. From 1906 to 1986, Compsilura concinnata flies were released repeatedly in North America by both the U.S. and Canadian governments as a biocontrol agent. Unfortunately, the flies target the larvae of species other than just gypsy moths.