What a privilege to be able to photograph this event. I was with a second grade class in the library when a member of the landscaping staff approached with a broad smile and a light in her eyes. A cecropia moth had hatched from its cocoon and was in the process of mating. Did I want to see? You didn't have to ask me twice! Leaving my class in the more-than-capable hands of my colleague Susan, I grabbed my camera and went out in the light rain to stalk the Cecropia. To get you up to speed, I quote from Wikipedia:
"Like all members of the Giant Silk Moth family, the nocturnal adult cecropia moths are designed only to reproduce, lacking functional mouthparts or digestive system. Therefore, they survive a maximum of about two weeks.
To find a mate, the female cecropia moth emits pheromones which the male's sensitive antennae can detect up to a mile away, although a male may fly up to 7 miles while searching for a female. Mating begins in the early morning hours and lasts until the evening. Afterward the female lays up to one hundred eggs, which hatch into tiny black caterpillars."
In the pictures above, you can clearly see the extra furry antennae of the male, as well as the cocoon from which the female had earlier emerged. It was essential to include the bottom middle picture so you can see for yourself the immense size of this largest North American moth. I can attest to the all-day romance of these moths. I took these pictures at 10 AM, and they were still together when I checked at 4 PM.
That's fabulous that you were at the ready to record the event! It's astounding to think about the facts! I'm wondering what function they serve if they're only born to reproduce and die! Are they meant to be a part of the food chain? And they they're so large! There's much more here to learn about!!! Thanks for the excellent photos!
@Weezilou Nature's plan is hard for us to fully understand. You have redwoods living thousands of years and the mayfly living a day. But I have to agree, being made without a mouth or digestive system seems cruel and heartless. In the long run, I guess, all Nature wants to do is reproduce. Everything else along the way (like painting the Mona Lisa or inventing the light bulb) is pure gravy!
A very beautiful moth, sad their life span is that short. your comment on it is interesting and very informative. thank you for sharing these lovely pictures and the quote from Wikipedia. fav.
June 21st, 2014
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