Last week we published a post with some photos of an other-worldly looking caterpillar and noted that a similar caterpillar had recently spun a cocoon near our porch area. We promised to be on the lookout for when the adult moth would appear. Well – Today was the day!
Mary called to me at about 9:00 and told me that the moth had come out. We can not say for certain when he or she made its’ grand entrance, but we did not notice it there when we opened up the chicken coop at 6:30, so we guess it could not have been out for more than two hours when we got these, “Baby’s First Photos.”
A couple of things to note are how scrunched up the moth’s body is and how much larger his front legs are than the rear. Also his or her antennae are folded back along the wing.
Over the next few hours we went back out to photograph the amazing changes being made by the baby moth. Initially his body looked a little like a bumblebee in size and shape.
The outer wing had already filled out, but the second inner wing was still pretty much hidden.
Occasionally the little moth would move or a breeze fluttered the wing enough to reveal the rapidly growing inner wing.
Within just a few hours the inner wing branched out and upward to be larger than the initial outer wing. The back legs continued to grow (or unfold) allowing for a more secure grip and limited movement.
Occsasionally the moth would flutter its’ wings and move further up the old cocoon onto the tubing.
At about 12:30 I asked the moth when he thought he would be ready to fly away. He turned his head and looked at me with heaven knows how many eyes as if to say, “When I am good and ready!”
About ten minutes later I looked out over the deck railing and watched the beautiful moth spread its’ wings and fly.
I do not know specifically how long this beautiful creature will live (some references say less than two weeks and others say several months) but we are grateful to have had a morning witnessing the metamorphis as this moth unfolded and then used his new wings.
Indeed, what a difference a few weeks makes here where…
Life is good in Ecuador.
I don’t know why, but as soon as I saw the first photograph…I was immediately reminded of a fish head with one big eye staring at me. But no, this is not a fish head. Beautiful moth!
LikeLike
As I sat and watched that moth change. I thought I saw several different things in the wing. The first was a big-eyed fish, then an owl with one oversized eye, then a ring-necked quail with his beak opened wide to eat a round seed. The miracle of it all was that it was a fantastic creature changing before my eyes! What a wonder.
Hope things have cooled down for you in Texas. Stay safe. JandM
LikeLike
Beautiful images! How great that it shared its first moments in its new life with you! That would make a challenging study – so much variance in details…. Did you see any blue on the ‘upper’ part of the wings?
LikeLike
We only got a glimpse of the upper part of the wings and they had a lot of bright yellow across the top half. I tried to follow the fluttering beauty around the yard to see if it would pause and open his new wings, but he was off too fast. Probably in pursuit of a meal after that amazing growth spurt.
Our other cocoon should be opening up in two days (assuming the timing is the same for these caterpillars). I hope to get shots of the upper part of the wings and a video of the first flight. It is all about timing! Luckily we are retired and the coccon is right in front of our patio area. Wish us luck!
LikeLike
Wow, John, just Wow.
LikeLike
Thank you! We were pretty wow”ed” by the exquisite beauty of this moth that formed in front of our eyes. Life is good!
Hope you are well now that hurricane season is winding down. JandM
LikeLike
Amazing macros. Enjoyed watching life unfolding.
LikeLike
Nature never fails to amaze us. We are really looking forward to the next cocoon opening – hopefully today or tomorrow.
LikeLike
Great pictures John! Beautiful moth.
LikeLike
Thank you, Lori. It was a great opportunity to see nature at work.
LikeLike