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| Luna caterpillar emerging from egg. J. Schaeffer |
Last week we received a bunch of luna moth eggs from a local entomologist, each no bigger than the head of a pin. The caterpillars have started to emerge. This morning we were able to capture one's first few seconds of life as a caterpillar, just after eating its way out of the shell with its impressive mandibles. This tiny guy, about one-eighth inch in length, will grow, over the next 4-5 weeks, to a length of 3-4 inches. That would be like your average 20 inch baby growing to a super-sized 40 feet! That size, plus the impressive lime green color, make these mature caterpillars true incredible hulks.
We'll be raising some again this year, feeding them their favorite food--sweetgum leaves. A LOT of sweetgum leaves! Check back with Naturalist's News, or stop by the nature center to check on their progress.
