Hyalophora cecropia life cycle Photo Gallery by Sandra Schwinn at pbase.com

Hyalophora cecropia life cycle

Finding and raising caterpillars of this moth (last year) has been fascinating. I am now raising a second brood from eggs laid by a female from the first brood. These stunning moths intrigue me. The larvae change colors as they molt. They make not one, but two cocoons--the outer triangular and the inner egg-shaped. It takes 11 months from egg to adult.

Hyalophora cecropia eggs	Newly Hatched Cecropia Larva	Cecropia caterpillars, 3rd day	Cecropia caterpillars 1 week old
Cecropia Moth Larva	Cecropia Moth Larva, head shot	Cecropia larva before final molt	Walking out of old skin
Cecropia Moth Larva final instar	Cecropia Larva, ready to pupate	Cecropia Moth Cocoon	Cecropia birth
Cecropia birth continued	Cecropia birth continued	Eclosion complete	Ready for flight
First Cecropia to emerge	Hyalophora cecropia female	Cecropia moth pair

comment |

Guest		17-Aug-2013 04:15
I have one

Dave		17-Jul-2013 19:15
Great work Sandy! I'm about to raise my first batch of eggs since 1975.

lexa		30-May-2012 16:22
My teacher was talking about it today

click on thumbnails for full image

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment

Type your message and click Add Comment

It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest. Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help	private comment