Final Two Polyphemus Eclose

Our last two of our three straggling polyphemus (Antheraea polyphemus) cocoons eclosed yesterday and today.

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Six days ago, we were surprised that one of the three straggling cocoons eclosed unexpectedly, over a month after most of the brood had eclosed. It was a large male but flew away upon taking it outside to photograph. Then, synchronous with that male but also straggling a month behind the rest of the brood, eclosed two females, one yesterday and another today.

The first female we placed outside in a calling cage to try to call in a wild male, though last month we had tried for at least a week no avail. Thus, we were so hopeful and when we checked this morning it had not paired, but mysteriously, when we checked on it at noon, it had completely vanished! We are starting to suspect moth theft at this point as everything we've put in this came this week (two ophthalmicas and this polyphemus) disappeared without a trace despite the cage being closed tight shut and holes being less than an inch squared. Maybe the ophthalmica squeezed through (doubtful though, because they couldn't even get out even when we tried jamming them through), but it just isn't possible that a 5 inch polyphemus could possibly escape. Birds can't get in the cage and would likely leave appendages or blood upon taking the moth. 

Anyway, what ever happened to that moth, it's gone now, but the final female eclosed just tonight so at least we have another chance to call. This one is absolutely massive, eclosing out of a 5.6 g cocoon produced by a larva that seemingly deliberately (not conditionally) entered a sixth instar to obtain a large size. The larva was the fastest growing of the brood (so clearly not nutrient deficient) all the way until fifth instar, but then entered a sixth instar and pupated much later than most of the brood. This phenomenon has been reported in several Antheraea species by amateur hobbyists, in which large females have six larval instars. We put the moth in the cage again, but this time put it in a safer spot where no one or nothing could get to it.

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​Authors
Alan Liang

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