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Butterfly Garden

Giant Silk Moths!

8 years ago

Hi

I ordered three Callosamia Promethea, three Actias Luna, three Hyalophora Cecropia. I will have photos soon!

Jacob

Featured Answer

KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH

8 years ago

By US law, you have to kill them. Not something I'd be excited about. And when it comes to Minnesota and cecropias, it is important that imported cecropias not be released since there is a population of cecropias that is found only in Minnesota plus a couple other spots in the northern US and southern Canada.

There is a Facebook group called Minnesota Moths and Butterflies. There are not many people in it but it is fairly new. Networking with your fellow Lep lovers in Minnesota is a better way to go. You might find out about a place where moths are frequently caught. Or maybe a couple of you could do some moth lighting during National Moth Week. I've done that twice here in Ohio.

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Comments (7)

Jacob Berg
Original Author
8 years ago
Even if I ordered them from in state I have to kill them?
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Jacob Berg
Original Author
8 years ago
What is the difference between normal cecropias and the ones in Minnesota? Whne is national Moth week?
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
8 years ago
If you got them from MN, you're OK but I'm betting you got them from Peg's sources.

You live in a state of extreme cold and it has some unique things that need to be protected. I was surprised when I found out about how Minnesota was trying to keep out earthworms to protect the duff (was the first time I ever heard about duff). Minnesota cecropias have evolved in a way that you have at least two variations with different behaviors. Mating times is the difference I know about but there may be research that has found other differences. Plus you have the columbia moths in the mix too. Don't be bringing in cecropias that were not part of this evolution.

I'd love to give you a link to something on the subject but I know of none. I was really trying to find one about a week ago because I talked to Karen Oberhauser about them during a monarch conference. She is a MN Lep expert and has raised cecropias but had no clue MN had two types. Anyway, the book to read is The Wild Silk Moths of North America by Tuskes, Tuttle, and Collins. Hopefully your library system can get you a copy because the book is bloody expensive. I was excited when I recently ordered a copy from Australia for $126. Was quickly disappointed when they told me they did not have it. I'm guessing they realized they were way below market price. I really screwed up by not buying a copy when the book was first published.

National Moth Week is July 18 to 26 this year.

http://nationalmothweek.org/
Jacob Berg
Original Author
8 years ago
Do you ever open up your cocoons to look at if there going to be a male or a female? If you do what time of the year do you do it?

Thanks
KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
8 years ago
I open up cocoons for educational displays. I figure out the sex so I can tell the people what it is and explain the differences.

You can do it any time. Even before the caterpillar has pupated. You have to be the most careful when you are doing it shortly after the cocoon has been completed. The caterpillar has not shrunk yet so the cocoon will be at its fullest.

I have never opened up a promethea so I don't know how easy/hard it is or how careful you have to be. Cecropias and lunas are cake.
Jacob Berg thanked KC Clark - Zone 2012-6a OH
Jacob Berg
Original Author
8 years ago
I did that and I worried that I killed them.

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?what to do with this little guy?

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