UI Connecticut cocoon

[jh]

Stanley

Re. - Some have said it could be a Polyphemus moth, but all the cocoons I
have
collected in Erie, which is in the east as is Connecticut, all have been in
trees, not on the ground (which is more prevalent in the west), and they
all hung by a cord of silk. They were never attached like this one. Based
on this and its dimensions I would rule out a Polyphemus moth.

I have seen them plastered to the sides of branches - I recall finding them
that way in coastal Rhode Island.  It would sometimes require taking 2, or
sometimes 3, little branches in order to keep it intact.  However, I also
wouldn't rule out promethea.  I saw a last instar promethea larva a few
years back that was about half the normal size - obviously parasitzed.  If
it had gone on to spin a cocoon, that too would have been considerably
smaller than normal.  

Got a lot of mileage out of this little cocoon - but, as I mentioned, I
think I may have the wasps to thank for that.  We'll see.

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

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Some have said it could be a Polyphemus moth, but all the cocoons I have
collected in Erie, which is in the east as is Connecticut, all have been in
trees, not on the ground (which is more prevalent in the west), and they
all hung by a cord of silk. They were never attached like this one. Based
on this and its dimensions I would rule out a Polyphemus moth.

I think it is more likely a Prometheus moth. If I recall they also hang by
a cord of silk, but their cocoons are about the right dimensions as
described for this one. It may be possible a behaviorally aberrant
caterpillar attached its cacoon this way instead of with a cord of silk.

Stan

Christopher Conlan wrote:

> Are you sure that is not a praying mantis egg case?  Maybe I'm going in
> the wrong direction here but it's hard to tell from the photograph (I
> can't see that typical stripe down the middle that would indicate
> mantis).
>
> Chris
>
>
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