(Mom in above pic)

Ok, I need help? (The ongoing photo story of this can be viewed at:
http://www.politicalgroove.com/photography/5181-moths-flutterbys-5.html on pages 5-7 and on that forum I use the NN gonzo as a joke.)

I got the offspring from egg to final instar, and they all cocooned. My problem is two of them "uncocooned" and started eating again!

I've looked and looked for help on the 'Net, and while there are plenty of "how to" sites...they only cover the bare basics, which I've already fulfilled.

Any experts here? Anyone know any experts? (I am waaaay too into this now, lol....my "babies", arg.)

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

I have no advice or tips for you... but how cool is it that you'll be releasing Luna Moths?!! Good luck with your project!

Bud

Bud
Southwest Ohio
USDA Plant Zone 6a

Camera: Pentax K20D
Lens: Pentax DA*300 f/4, Sigma 180 f/3.5 Macro
There's 1 or 2 more hummingbird / butterfly pics located here...
http://www.pbase.com/budohio

That's amazing! I've never heard of a moth "uncocooning" and eating again - you should submit this to an authority somewhere!

Sherry

I would if I could find one, lol! :P

Well, the "un" bunch went ahead and went into the pupua stage, so hopefully they'll progress.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

One of my Kindergartners has the last name of Luna. He is simply FASCINATED by lepidoptera (can't imagine where he caught the bug!) and when he was looking through a book one day I stopped him when he was on a page showing the Luna moth. I said, "Hey, guess what! You share something with this pretty moth." He was absolutely in HEAVEN! Now, every time a Luna moth picture comes up, he pipes up, "That moth has MY name!"

That's cool, lol. Kids are so great.

Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a

I will never try this experiement again. I am so upset! After carefully watching humidity, food, and temps all the luna cats cocooned. Every one of them emerged so deformed they can't even fly! I'll keep them in the container until they pass so at least they don't get eaten by birds.

Here's how they looked before the pupa//cocoon stage started:





Maryjane
W Ga
Zone 8a