HAPPY NEW WEEK!
I hope everyone has a wonderful and healthy week!
I have a small natural sack hanging from a branch next to my front door. It feels like papery leather, and there's clearly something inside it, because it moves on its own! It's oddly heavy! I've been concerned that it may have been made by a swarm of wasps or a large bat.
I think I've finally figured out what built it and is living in it. I believe it's a Cecropia moth, a giant silk moth. These are the largest moths in North America, and they can be more than 7 inches wide or 18 centimeters. They appear as big as a human hand. I hope I'm outdoors when the cocoon opens. Here's a photo showing what the cocoon looks like (mine is wider than this one):
Cecropia Moth CocoonPhoto labeled "Public Domain" (copyright free)
Here's a photo showing what the moth will look like, if that's what comes out:
Cecropia Moth, giant silk mothPhoto labeled "Public Domain" (copyright free)
Diane: Thank you, but oh my - what a spectacular moth! More like a butterfly. I must check out the difference between them. I watched a Monarch butterfly emerge from its cocoon in our garden a few years back. It happened in a matter of an hour or so, so I hope you get a chance to see it and let us know. I love fish!
OG: Gosh, that's hard, not liking fish when there's so much of it around you. Has Brexit also changed fishermen's markets? Your garden sounds so pretty. Garden centers here are called nurseries and are deemed essential services but there are no restaurants or home decorating/clothing departments attached. I took a few unhappy looking leaves (in a ziplock bag) for diagnosis to our local one today and it was busy with masked customers shopping for plants, veggies, herbs...
Lindybird: That's amazing that people would walk across a field with growing crops. Here you'd probably get shot!! I seem to remember that the UK's Public Footpath system involves all kinds of legal rights and eccentric traditions. There's one near my sister's house in Lincolnshire that a farmer has apparently closed off, which I gather may be illegal and which has caused muttering among the villagers.... January 1919's New Yorker magazine had an article on the subject https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-the-uk/the-search-for-englands-forgotten-footpaths.
Wendyb: Did your daughter go for her test?
Anyway, have a good Sunday all.
Thank you DIANE for starting us off. What a wonderful treasure at your front door. A guard moth?
No new cases of virus yesterday in our state and very few over the last week. Tomorrow our city is receiving 2 planeloads of Aussies rescued from overseas. 880 to be quarantined in hotels for 2 weeks. Then, those from other states will find their way home, to face another 2 weeks isolation in their home state. We are taking the lockdown seriously.
Wow Diane what a beautiful cocoon and eventually a stunning Moth. I so hope you are there to see it hatch.
Nothing to report here - I am used to living alone - but even this is getting to me now. However as our figures are some of the worst in the world and probably underestimated, I can see this continuing for some time.
I'm joining my Parish for an online Mass at 10 as are lots of people all over the world. Lets hope our joint prayers help those who have and are still suffering and not forgetting our wonderful NHS and carers.
At least the weather is set fine for the next week.
Stay safe and well all.
What a fantastic find Diane, I will post a li k to this on our dedicated thread here for others to share ...
https://community.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/f/all-creatures/206393/butterflies-moths-2020
If you really don't want to miss the eclosing then you could cut the stem that cocoon is attached to & bring inside, place it upright in a container covered loosley with fine net, as soon as out & dried off you can release it back to the wild! Must have plenty of clearance for it's wings to inflate! I used a white mesh linen bin when I home- raised Silkmoths a couple of year back!
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
@ Harelady
Unknown said: I am used to living alone - but even this is getting to me now.
I wonder if this website, may give you some extra comfort during these isolating times. Live Cams of St Anthony Tomb , The outside of Basilica and Main Altar
Click Live camsTab top right.
People are now being allowed to visit now, so you can watch them inside and outside all day long.
Every day at the Saint’s Tomb: direct streaming at the 7:30am Lauds prayers and at 6:00pm for the celebration of Holy Mass.
(UK time 1 hour earlier)
https://www.santantonio.org/en/content/chapel-saint-anthony-live-cam