I have found 2 of these monsters on my River Birch. Seems like they can eat a leaf in about 5 minutes. They are about 4 inches long and ¾ to an inch thick. I really don't want to kill them if they are going to be something like a hummingbird moth. Thanks
They're Cecropia Moth larvae, much better than a Hummingbird moth!
http://davesgarden.com/bf/go/40/
Thanks! can you tell me if they make cocoons and winter over in that stage to emrge in the spring. I would like to see this go through the chrysalis(sp) and emrge so will try to watch and see where they make the cocoons. They have just about stripped the little tree they are on so might want to move to the larger tree and then I might lose sight of them.
I think so - but it may keep eating and moving for a while, it might be hard to keep up with. It appears to be the fifth instar.
Maybe someone in the Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening forum has raised them, you could check there too.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3281
http://www.geocities.com/mothman15/cecropia.htm
llilyfan, what a lucky find! The best way to keep track of him is to put him in a reptarium. That will keep him safe from predators and you can feed him several leaves a day of his host plant like the River Birch.
Do you think I can put both of them in the same 'cage'?
I don't know if they are cannabalistic, two would be better if you can.
Well wouldn't you know it.........we get home with the 'cages' and they are both gone! I'll keep checking the branches of the bigger tree for missing leaves, but they were hard to spot even when you knew where they were dining.
They're such gorgeous gargantuan cats, llilyfan!
Wonderful shot, to boot!
You may spot some more of these gems later, so hang on to 'em cages. .. lol .. 'Least you're now fully prepared.
Ya reckon you mite consider submitting a photo or two, etc., to the DG Bug Files database, hmmm -?- > http://davesgarden.com/bf/go/40/
Haint no pitters of the 'pillars posted there yet! (lol)
((huggs))
- Magpye
Okay, I submitted the pic for approval. I checked several times today and still haven't found them but I am going to keep looking.
