Question
Caterpillar
I was wondering if you could help identify this worm/caterpillar that made a cocoon on the side of our shed. I am wondering what it will become and how long does it take. It was about the size of a large finger. Maybe 3 inches in length and pretty thick.
Thank you,
Jennifer
AnswerLooks like the Luna moth. This is a pale green moth that you might see around porch lights. One of the sleep aid commercials uses this moth as their image. Here is a web link to more information with pictures of the moth and the caterpillar.
http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/luna_moth.htm
Here is information on the life cycle of the luna moth
Four Stages of a Luna Moth
The Egg (12 to 14 days) Adult female moths lay up to 200 eggs in small groups
on the leaves of walnut trees. These eggs are as small as the top of a pin. Ten days
later, small caterpillars eat their way out of the eggs.
The Larva (3 1/2 to 4 weeks) The newborn caterpillar eats constantly
several leaves every day growing quickly. Soon the caterpillar抯 skin is
so tight, it starts to split. The caterpillar wriggles out of its old skin, having formed
a fresh, new skin underneath.
The Cocoon/Pupa (2 to 3 weeks) At 2 1/2 inches long, the caterpillar is now fully grown.
It stops eating, and looks for a safe place to make a cocoon. Making sticky thread from a
hole near its mouth, the caterpillar begins winding the thread round and round its body. The
caterpillar pulls a leaf around the cocoon, securing it with the sticky thread.
One week later, while the caterpillar is still encased in the cocoon, the caterpillar抯 skin splits open. What抯 inside? A pupa, with a moth growing inside. In three weeks the moth is ready to come out.
The moth pushes from inside until the skin of the pupa splits. Next, the moth makes
a special juice and softens the cocoon, so it can push its way out!
The Moth (1 week) At first, the Luna Moth抯 wings are soft and crumpled. In 20 minutes, the
wings are full size, and almost dry. But wait, the moth can抰 fly yet! Once the moth抯 wings are
dry, it opens them out, and then rests until nighttime. Once it gets dark, the moth will fly away
to find a mate. Luna Moths only live for about 1 week.
