April 2006 - Caterpillars
we have named them Heimlich and Manuever
they are pretty small for now...
more closeups
head on!
nice backlighting
on the move
8 days later - April 16. Much larger!
doing a U Turn
stripping the leaves
now about 1 1/2 inches long
April 21st - 2nd molt since we got them
just before molting, they rested for about 2-3 days
just after the molt
just after the molt, from below
Shed skin
9 days later - April 30th. Very Large!
a passing manuever
Stripped branch - they are eating a lot
May 6, 2006 - Heimlich starting to build a cocoon
a few wisps of webbing
meanwhile, manuever looked a bit sickly
going to bed for the evening - hard at work
May 7, the 2nd day, 7:36 AM. Lots of progess overnight.
looking straight up from the bottom
super close-up
another hour
2 hours after th previous one
3 hours later
Finally, Maneuver gets started on his cocoon
11 PM May 7th - Heimlich nearly done
May 8th, 8 AM. Maneuver making progress.
Heimlich's cocoon starting to turn brown - probably all done.
7 PM May 8th, Heimlich finishing up
beautiful - very hairy
these moths are quite large - 4 inch or so wingspan
February 16th - came out early!