Going to try to raise some large moths

I bought these two cocoons for $ 6.00/each from a dealer selling at a craft show last fall. I believe they are Cecropia. It will be a unique learning experience to raise these. I really dug into all the information I found on the internet. I kept themall winter in a large plastic jar with holes in the top and they were placed on my porch steps protected by the carport. The instructions were to bring them indoors on April 1, today, so I have done that. I have put them in a very huge plastic jar & taped paper towels hanging up, so they have something to climb up to pump up & spread their wings when they emerge, but do not know how long that will take. Will take more pix as things progress. Any input & pix on this thread would be more than welcome as I am a complete newbie with Moths. I do grow milkweed for the Monarch butterflies & when the caterpillars hatch, I move them from plant to plant so they can feed. Like a herd of hungry cows.

Good for you Buttoneer, it does take patience. I've never tried it myself but have had a few happy and unexpected surprises myself. I had a hanging basket on my deck last year and planted parsley in it for the swallowtails. Sure enough, lots of babies in it and they went everywhere. One, however, kept going into a tiny birdfeeder sitting next to the basket. Every time I moved it back in it went. Giving up I forgot about it and over the winter noticed a chrysalis formed inside the birdfeeder. It emerged about a month ago and off he went. Guess they know what they're doing, huh??

Buttoneer, here's a link to a neat page about them. My mom and I were talking about moths and she mentioned the biggest moth she had ever seen was as a child up north- sure enought, it was a Cecropia moth!
http://www.wormspit.com/cecropia.htm
Hope your two cocoons produce beautiful moths for you!

Cathy

Cathy, thanks for the link. Before I started this thread, I read the entire wormspit website and bookmarked it. Looking forward to a real experience, here.

I'm so excited for you! One of my coworkers found a Polyphemus moth one of the trucks he was working on. It was a cool night, into the 40's and the moth looked dead. He carefully brought it in so I could see it and give it a proper burial. Well, an hour later it warmed up in my office and was walking all around! Those fuzzy feet feel awfully funny on your arms. :-)

Have fun!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Children of All Ages the show is about to begin. I just bought a ringside seat. With you as the Ringmaster I bet on the show being a success.

hahahahahaha. Doc, figured you'd join us. If you get the opportunity, go to www.wormspit.com & see all the wonderful butterflies & moths eggs, & cocoons you can buy to raise your own. I have decided to build a circular hanging cage for the moths, using chicken wire. DH can help. What I don't know is what temperature to keep them so that their cocoons open up with the wild ones do.

I will not go there. Iwill not go. Iwill not. I will...........the power of some gals and they 'aint even in the house I live in. ]:o)

That site was the coolest thing I have ever seen. I am in awe.

Melanie

Hi Buttoneer

I bought a few last year too so that I can see them when they come out-it will be nice to see them up close. I'm also going to see if I can mate them. I have a few Cecropia and Luna's. I kept them in the fridge and checked them often. So far so good from what I can tell. I'm going to put them outside if there females and see if they could call in some males-I would love to get some eggs to raise over the summer.

Yesterday, April 1- I emailed Bill Oehlke to ask him when I should take them out because I wasn't quite sure. He told me the third week of April for May flight. I just wanted to let you know.


If you could dmail me when yours hatch I would love to know.

Good Luck!
Aggie

Oh my, I had better put mine back outside. The guy I got them from told me April 1. Will it hurt t hem to put them back outside, after being in the house a couple days?

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post back buttoneer-did you ever visit Bill's site? I'll include it here for you..maybe you can email and ask about what happened? I don't think it would be a problem but I'm not 100% sure. I figure it would be like a warm day in Spring for them and they know not to come out yet.

Let me know what happens and when they do hatch I'd love to know-I'll include pictures for you of mine..I took one of the Luna Moths out of it cocoon just to see what it looked like..the others are still in there's and the two big ones are the type you have.

Good Luck!

Aggie
http://www3.islandtelecom.com/~oehlkew/

If you want to see local native Luna Moth if you have any... put a squirt of heavy molasses in your hand and add enough beer to make it ..........well smell like beer. Smear this on the trunk of a tree. You will see some other interesing moth critters too.

Aggie, thank you so much for the link. I emailed Bill this morning. Did you buy the cocoons at a craft show or from the internet? Doc, I will try just doing that when it is warmer out. Judy Showers

Well now there will be a possible problem. You only need half an ounce of beer. How are you going to use the other eleven and a half ounces? Looks like a beer can chicken night to me. :)

I got mine from a person on the internet but for the life of me I can't remember who..I should have saved the emails!

I just bought a bunch of eggs this year too-just Luna Moths for now...I think all total I have about 50-60 coming. It should be an interesting summer...

I will post pictures when they hatch and make a log of what they do and how they grow..should be interesting...


Aggie

Aggie, whatever happened with your moth eggs? Did they hatch? Did you have caterpillars & then Moths? Thanks. Buttoneer.