UI Connecticut cocoon

[jh]

I agree it has the shape of a polyphemous - I've reared them for years, but
have never come across one that is so small.  It is possible the larva was
parasitized - I found this cocoon nearby on the same walk yesterday (added
to the same page at http://booksandnature.homestead.com/Misc.html )- this
may explain things.

I originally wondered if it was some kind of lasiocampid, because of the
size - I know Tolype vellada plasters its cocoon on a branch, but they don't
use leaves and the shape is more conforming to the branch.  And - there
aren't that many lasiocampids to choose from in these here parts.

Thanks, everyone - I'll let you know what comes out - but I suspect it(they)
will have an ovipositor.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
John Himmelman
Killingworth, CT
jhimmel at mindspring.com
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

NEW THIS FALL!  "Discovering Moths, Nighttime Jewels in Your Own Yard"
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____________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-leps-l at lists.yale.edu [mailto:owner-leps-l at lists.yale.edu]On
Behalf Of Rob Vandermoor
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 10:34 PM
To: dyanega at pop.ucr.edu; leps-l at lists.yale.edu
Subject: Re: UI Connecticut cocoon


I have reared both Polyphemus and Cecropia. Cecropia cocoons in my
experience are more tapered at the emergence end and Polyphemus cocoons are
generally like an overly rounded chicken egg as this picture tends to show.
That said Polyphemus cocoons tend to fall to the ground as the leaves fall,
were as Cecropia cocoons generally remain affixed to the branch. My money
would be on Polyphemus.

   Robert Vandermoor.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug Yanega" <dyanega at pop.ucr.edu>
To: <LEPS-L at lists.yale.edu>
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: UI Connecticut cocoon


> >Hi folks - I came across a cocoon attached to a spirea twig.  There is a
> >picture of it posted at http://booksandnature.homestead.com/Misc.html.
> >Anyone know what it is?
>
> I'd wager on it being a cecropia, though it might be a Polyphemus.
> --
>
> Doug Yanega        Dept. of Entomology         Entomology Research Museum
> Univ. of California - Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521
> phone: (909) 787-4315 (standard disclaimer: opinions are mine, not UCR's)
>             http://entmuseum9.ucr.edu/staff/yanega.html
>    "There are some enterprises in which a careful disorderliness
>          is the true method" - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chap. 82
>
>
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