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We found this amazing caterpillar on one of our young apple trees. It is huge! And from the looks of it, I think it could have eaten the whole tree...stems and all, if we hadn't of brought it in to show our son. As is turns out, we kept it as a pet long enough to learn about it and watch it spin the chrysalis (above right).
This is a Cecropia moth which has a fascinating story........including the fact that the adult moth has no feeding mouth parts. Therefore, all of its energy is stored from its summer days as a hungry caterpillar. And its life as a moth is strictly for reproduction. Also interesting, is that the energy is stored through the long and cold New Jersey winter before the mouthless moth emerges to find a mate in the spring.
Yet another example of the endless wonders of life on the farm.
This is a Cecropia moth which has a fascinating story........including the fact that the adult moth has no feeding mouth parts. Therefore, all of its energy is stored from its summer days as a hungry caterpillar. And its life as a moth is strictly for reproduction. Also interesting, is that the energy is stored through the long and cold New Jersey winter before the mouthless moth emerges to find a mate in the spring.
Yet another example of the endless wonders of life on the farm.
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