[NatureNS] Re: large cocoon

From: "d.bridgehouse" <d.bridgehouse@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:24:41 -0300
Importance: Normal
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects

Index of Subjects
Hi Dave et al ; from the description(s) both sound very much like cocoons of
Saturniids , probably Hyalophora cecropia as JET  has suggested in DWs case
as the food of choice of cecropia around here Prunus ssp. However H.
cecropia being polyphagus Kmac cocoons is probaly cecropia too based on
description and not a Sphingid as they are underground pupators and do not
spin cocoons. Cecropia larvae tend to be wanderers before spining and the
Azalea may have just happened to be a suitable place to spin.

If these cocoons are kept indoors under normal conditions then expect
diapause to be broken and expect eclosure approx between 18 -23 days .

If kept outdoors then expect normal eclosure depending on our spring bewtwwn
june 4 - July 1 with peak flight in mid to late June .

Hope this helps ! ! !

DB

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]On Behalf Of Ken MacAulay
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 7:02 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Re: large cocoon


Dave, I picked a similar cocoon from an azalea and also found a tan, hairy,
but otherwise featureless body inside.  It was warm to the touch.  The
cocoon was a sort of elongated triangular shape almost 3.5 inches long (like
a big, parchment brazil nut) and the creature within about 2 inches long.
I'm guessing it may be one of the large moths like a cecropia or sphingidae.
I have kept it safe and hope my damaging the outer covering has not
jeopardized the creature.  I had, at first, thought it was some kind of
azalea gall or spiders nest.  Does anyone know when this may "hatch"?
Ken MacAulay
Port Mouton, NS


next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects