Cecropia Moth Adoptions

Event Summary

We have a small number of cecropia moth eggs currently available for adoption.

Eggs can be picked up from the Conservation Education Center in Kent Park on:**

   Wednesday, May 27th after 3pm-10pm

  Thursday, May 28th after 3pm-10pm

This registration closes at 12pm on Wednesday. More info about pick-up will be sent after registration closes.

Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) The largest native moth in North America—impressive and dramatic! Host plants: wild cherry, apple, crabapple, wild plum, lilac Care tips: Best raised outdoors—extremely prone to disease when kept inside. It is easiest to raise them directly on a tree with a mesh bag tied over the branch like these from raisingbutterflies.org: https://store.raisingbutterflies.org/product-p/sleeveblack10w20l.htm g. Overwintering: Garage cage or fridge is safest.

These eggs will start hatching sometime around May 29th, so you have a little time to figure out your set-up.

Additional Care Info:

Cecropia Moth **The largest insect in North America!** Food (host) plants: wild cherry, apple, crabapple, lilac Cecropia larvae are very prone to disease when reared on cut food. Rear larvae outdoors in an organza fabric sleeve pulled over a branch like a sock and tied shut with string. Avoid disturbing larva that is not eating or travelling – it may be preparing to molt (takes 1-2 days) – instead, move what it is standing on. When mature, the larva will void its gut and search for a place to spin its cocoon. Keep overwintering cocoons in a steel hardware-cloth cage in an unheated building for the winter or refrigerate in airtight container (November-March). In spring, make sure the emerging adult has places it can climb to so that it can expand its wings. Moths should be released only at night due to birds.

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