I’m going to attempt to raise 412 Luna Moth Caterpillars

[borisjake]

I noticed you make a lot of threads about insects. Ever thought about writing a book? Some people would find this very interesting and you could make a bit of money. Compile all your work together and make one!

[postal]

Some more pics added to the OP of them cocooning.

[img]http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs51/i/2009/313/e/c/Luna_Moth_Caterpillar_Cocoon_by_postal_crazylegs.jpg[/img]

love my new camera.

[!LORD M!]

These are totally awesome, man.

[postal]

Updated with a video

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0xdB8knN8[/media]

Also they should all finish cocooning tomorrow.

[BoojieBen]

I fucking hate moths with a passion

[MetricMoose]

Great update!

What camera did you buy?

[postal]

Got a Canon EOS 40D

[Tea]

I am so fucking envious of you.

[BoojieBen]

Aren't you coming back to moderating Postal?

[General J]

Damnit postal. Why do you have the most interesting wildlife stories ? :argh:

[BackflipHatchet]

315 hearts.

[b]Dayum[/b]

[Adbor]

Damn nice.

[Mckillyou]

So when are these motherfuckers SUPPOSEDLY hatching

[3mpty]

[QUOTE=postal;18530423]Updated with a video

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0xdB8knN8[/media]

Also they should all finish cocooning tomorrow.[/QUOTE]

Watched the entire thing.
A++ video, would watch again.

[Apple Piepod]

[QUOTE=postal;18530423]Updated with a video

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0xdB8knN8[/media]

Also they should all finish cocooning tomorrow.[/QUOTE]

Awesome. 1:05 made me laugh out loud actually, haha.

[Jeremyc428]

This is quite a neat hobby you have here, Really interesting, it's entertaining and educational at the same time, quite a treat.

Post updates on the Imperial catapillar as it turns into a butterfly

[Elexar]

It's bloody beautiful, but I'm a tad scared of bugs so it gives me the shivers as well. Shivers of fear and amazement.

That big green one would freak me the fuck out and I'd run over the ocean to the other side of the world. Goddamn that thing is scary.

[ManningQB18]

Awesome, Keep updating, this is even better than the life and times of Marc.

[sneakyjester]

This is awesome, posts like these are what makes FP awesome :D

[Mlisen14]

Cute video, almost beats Front Porch Spiders 06

[postal]

[QUOTE=Mckillyou;18534560]So when are these motherfuckers SUPPOSEDLY hatching[/QUOTE]

Spring.

also shit, while i was trying to find a more specific time frame online for these guys, I came across a site claiming the caterpillars need to be exposed to cold temperatures for a few days prior to cocooning in order to over winter. If this claim is true, then I'd say about 20-40 of the cocoons I have now, potentially including the imperial cocoon, are shit out of luck as I was unable to leave them out in the cold during the times they cocooned.

Guess we have to wait and see.

[neurobuster]

D'awww they're so cute.

[G71tc4]

[QUOTE=postal;18538352]Spring.

also shit, while i was trying to find a more specific time frame online for these guys, I came across a site claiming the caterpillars need to be exposed to cold temperatures for a few days prior to cocooning in order to over winter. If this claim is true, then I'd say about 20-40 of the cocoons I have now, potentially including the imperial cocoon, are shit out of luck as I was unable to leave them out in the cold during the times they cocooned.

Guess we have to wait and see.[/QUOTE]

:ohdear:

[Big Blue]

Wow, postal, you make [B]the[/B] most interesting, dedicated, thought-provoking threads on FP. This thread is a great read, thanks.

[40kplayer]

[url=http://www.imagehosting.com/][img]http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8302/lunamothcaterpillaratre.jpg[/img][/url]
Excellent...
[url=http://www.imagehosting.com/][img]http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1129/mrburnsx.gif[/img][/url]

[BaconNightmare]

Thats awesome! :D

I'm mourning the deaths of the 40 or so which initially died :smith:
May they rest in peace.

[Mckillyou]

[QUOTE=postal;18538352]Spring.

also shit, while i was trying to find a more specific time frame online for these guys, I came across a site claiming the caterpillars need to be exposed to cold temperatures for a few days prior to cocooning in order to over winter. If this claim is true, then I'd say about 20-40 of the cocoons I have now, potentially including the imperial cocoon, are shit out of luck as I was unable to leave them out in the cold during the times they cocooned.

Guess we have to wait and see.[/QUOTE]

Aww man. Hopefully they still do allright.

Yeah I figured spring. That's a bit of a shame, I want to see them NOWWW

[Scoooooby]

They're cute I guess? But I'd be scared to put them on my hand :3:

[Doomish]

I have thought that these things were Lovecraftian horrors since the beginning of this thread.

I was not disappointed.

[postal]

The final caterpillar cocooned. I've been checking up on the status of the cocoons weekly, and they seem to be doing great. The imperial still responds to any disturbance, and that's the best way to tell if a pupa is alive or not. As for if he's going to over winter or hatch early and die, it's been 41 days since he's pupated. Luna's take 2-3 weeks to hatch, so it's safe to assume the imperial is overwinering properly.

As for the lunas, I picked three cocoons out to test. One from the first batch to cocoon, one from in the middle, and one from the last batch to cocoon. After rolling them around and picking at the leaves on the cocoon, all three responded and began squirming about inside the leafy mass.

So far so good. I found a website claiming lunas hatch after 2 to 3 weeks in the cocoon, so if three weeks from today they're all still in the cocoon it's safe to assume they're overwintering. Just have to wait and see, now.