Post by trehopr1 on May 21, 2021 22:01:04 GMT -8
This is a 1st for me...
I found a seller recently with limited stock of this
very lovely species. I have "forever" desired to obtain
a live cocoon(s) of this very much restricted (in range)
"Empress of the night"; which for now has a toe-hold of
existence still left in New Jersey.
I acquired two cocoons in the hopes at least one would
emerge perfectly. The first emerged and climbed up the
screen cage but, never fully un-furled its wings.
However, the second emerged just yesterday (May.20.2021)
evening and she turned out perfect and is simply gorgeous.
I love the striped and colored "socks" this species wears...
Here she is again in my cupped hand (below).
This species was introduced in the U.S. in 1896 for a
"fledgling" silk market that was envisioned. The idea
however, never really got far of the ground and was
abandoned.
For nearly 100 years it prospered in (parts) of New York,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey
at the very least. However, ever since the decade of the 1980's
the species has been in fairly rapid decline due to various
factors attacking it from all sides.
Now, to the best of anyone's knowledge only the forsaken
ramparts of New Jerseys rail yards, trashed backlots, and light
industry properties hold any remaining populations of this very
lovely and charming moth.
It remains the only giant silkmoth species here with "tufts" of
hair prominent on the abdomen; making it truly distinctive.
I found a seller recently with limited stock of this
very lovely species. I have "forever" desired to obtain
a live cocoon(s) of this very much restricted (in range)
"Empress of the night"; which for now has a toe-hold of
existence still left in New Jersey.
I acquired two cocoons in the hopes at least one would
emerge perfectly. The first emerged and climbed up the
screen cage but, never fully un-furled its wings.
However, the second emerged just yesterday (May.20.2021)
evening and she turned out perfect and is simply gorgeous.
I love the striped and colored "socks" this species wears...
Here she is again in my cupped hand (below).
This species was introduced in the U.S. in 1896 for a
"fledgling" silk market that was envisioned. The idea
however, never really got far of the ground and was
abandoned.
For nearly 100 years it prospered in (parts) of New York,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey
at the very least. However, ever since the decade of the 1980's
the species has been in fairly rapid decline due to various
factors attacking it from all sides.
Now, to the best of anyone's knowledge only the forsaken
ramparts of New Jerseys rail yards, trashed backlots, and light
industry properties hold any remaining populations of this very
lovely and charming moth.
It remains the only giant silkmoth species here with "tufts" of
hair prominent on the abdomen; making it truly distinctive.
