Cynthia Silkmoths Have Begun to Eclose

Our cynthia silkmoths (Samia cynthia advena) have begun to eclose. Stock originated as cocoons from Pennsylvania. 

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After a long, ambiguous wait, one of our cynthia silkmoths (Samia cynthia advena) has finally eclosed. We originally put these in the fridge in January after confirming that they were in diapause and then took them out again right at the start of May and put them in the incubator at 80 °F. When they didn't eclose by mid-June, we knew something was obviously up. Just like the imperials (Eacles imperialis) that don't normally eclose until late summer, they must take some pretty specific cues or simply have some kind of internal timer to make sure that they come out the second the weather warms up. So, putting them in the incubator probably wasn't enough.

At that point, we fished out five cocoons (we started with six) from piles of other cocoons and pupae, including Samia ricini, from the incubator and turned it off to help with the utility bill. After weighing, we confirmed that one was dead and tossed it. The remaining four were left in a cardboard box. 

Even though we knew we had missed one of the cocoons, it still was still surprising when we found this incredibly colored and crisp male in the incubator today. It was unmistakable as cynthia and not the, what now seems quite hideous, ricini. This true cynthia, perhaps also somewhat inbred at this point, is still a very robust and wild-like moth. The thing's perfectly clean and well shapen wings are a beacon in the legion of crippled and deformed ricini's that also recently eclosed. Not to mention, they are a lot bigger and much more functional. 

The coloration of this male cynthia is also completely different than the drab ricini. The dark, chocolate brown of the latter is replaced by a fine goldenish tan. The vertical stripes are also lined in the most glorious pink that provide a much needed contrast. In general, the patterns on the wings and the body are also just so much more defined. Those ricini's are truly some sad creatures. . .

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Authors
Brian Liang

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