Saturday 27 June 2009

Great excitement! My Robin moth eggs, laid by the generation from last year who were overwintered as cocoons in the fridge and completed their life cycle this spring, are hatching! Lots of tiny little black cats are swarming over the lilac leaves they eat and it is rather poignant that the last of the adult moths was dead in the cage this morning - last night she was still just about alive and there were no caterpillars. Is this coincidence or did her death trigger the hatching? I have no idea.

1 comment:

  1. we found a robin moth caterpillar in a busy parking lot, and before we were to release it, it formed a cocoon. I kept the cocoon inside all winter, and still no moth?! Did I do something wrong? How long do they stay in cocoon? and are they supposed to stay cold? anyone? email a response at cking33@live.com. Would appreciate very much.

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