The Luna Moth Chronicles: Day 23

We have a COCOON!

Corvella is the first to cocoon

Now what the heck am I supposed to do with it??? :P

This calls for some fresh research. I found this site which is quite comprehensive regarding the care of not only the cocoons, but the development of these caterpillars.

What to expect...

Sorry, this is a bit gross! The caterpillars clear their guts right before cocooning. If you see this, and your caterpillars are in their last instar, you'll know a cocoon is in their near future! Corvella is cocooned under a leaf on the far left side of the container.

Business as usual for Clover, chowing down and pooping!

Nenington, scrunched up, probably in fear

of the five giant "caterpillars" staring him down!

When you disturb the caterpillars, they tuck their heads under. His full length is much more impressive when he's stretched out comfortably.

Stay tuned to find out which of the two remaining 'pillars cocoons next!

The Luna Moth Chronicles: Day 20

Wow, it's been 20 days and I've managed to keep these caterpillars alive!
Kudos to me, heh heh!

"Clover"

"Corvella"

"Nenington"

Nothing much to report. They are eating up a storm, especially at night. A word to the wise...once they start getting large like this be sure to stock them with enough leaves to last through the night, unless you plan to get up periodically and check on them! Four large leaves seem to be about the right amount for mine, and they also like climbing so be sure to include the branch too.

Autumn Splendor

The Luna Moth Chronicles: Day 17

Day 17: Growing! They are closing in on 2". In fact, they may well be 2" long but they rarely stretch out their full length. When disturbed they tuck their heads under and scrunch up so it's hard to get an accurate measurement.

"Corvella"

We gave them branches in their containers and they seem to really enjoy clinging to them.

"Clover" 

You can see how his skin looks stretched tight, especially near the back end, like he's about to burst at the seams! Surely he's going to molt soon.

"Nenington"

Now is a crucial period for the larvae regarding lighting. They are light sensitive and take their cues from the length of daylight hours. I need these guys to produce the hormone that makes them overwinter in their cocoons, otherwise I'll have Luna Moths flying around the house! And if they mate and lay eggs I will have no food for the hatchlings since it will be late autumn. So I'm being careful to cover their containers with a towel to be sure they get no more than 14 hours of light each day. 

Listen to me, ha ha! I sound like I know what I'm talking about! (I knew nothing about this a month ago!)

The Luna Moth Chronicles: Day 14

The Luna moth larvae are now in their 4th Instar. The two largest caterpillars molted overnight on Day 14. I found this discarded skin and a little "skull cap" from the caterpillar's face in the container. Sometimes they eat their molted skin but this time Corvella did not. Clover ate her skin but not the little cap. (Sounds gross!)

The caterpillars spin a bit of silk to anchor themselves prior to molting. You can see the silk threads in this photo, attaching the skin to the leaf. I took the picture on my journal page where I make notes about their progress.

Nenington, the runt of the litter, was preparing to molt on day 14. He seems to be one day behind the others.

Since the death of caterpillar #4 I've been paranoid about sickness among the remaining caterpillars. When they stopped eating I thought surely I was going to lose the rest of them, but it turns out they do this when they get ready to molt. I never observed this before because they were all together in one container. One out of the four was always eating and pooping so I assumed it was coming from all four. I wish I'd separated them sooner, it's been very enlightening!

The Luna Moth Chronicles: Day 12

I have a sad tragedy to report. Luna larvae #4 died on day 11. I have no idea what happened to cause his demise. I found him that morning in a pool of fluids. I removed all the caterpillars to individual containers in case it was catching. So far the remaining three are doing well. 

Here is Corvella, the largest of the three.

My son decided to name them now that they're in separate containers and we can tell them apart. Don't ask me where he got these names from!

This is Nenington, the smallest of the bunch

Here is Clover.

Clover has a bit of silk hanging off his backside. He is preparing to molt again.

Etsy Finds

I found these gorgeous garden photos on Etsy...

CONTENTMENT Fine Art Photograph by bbrunophotography

Dragon Tail Fern by UrbanDesign

Lovely (Mums) by Eyeful