Emperor moth

[CapAndBracket]

First of my Saturnia pavonia (emperor moth, male) emerged today, i have
put him back to the wild and two more have now emerged and pumping up
their wings.



Cheers J.P.

[aeshna5]

What a smashing critter!

[CapAndBracket]

Saturnia pavonia (Emperor moth) pupae, male left, female right.
Three emerged yesterday, so now i have removed cacoons to see how the
rest have overwintered and all (20) seem to be fine, quite a bit of wriggling
going on so can expect a mass emergence i think.

Cheers J.P.

[barquar]

What a great moth your very lucky to find such a colourful moth making me very envious
Barquar

[CapAndBracket]

7 males emerged yesterday, one so far today


Male Saturnia pavonia (emperor moth) antenae.

The fact that no females have emerged so far, makes me wonder if nature is
being clever at avoiding in breeding by having the sexes in a given clutch
have seperate emergence times. Like some plants which have male/female
structures ripening at intervals. (just an idea).

Woops, make that two today (so far).



I also notice that the first thing they want to do is climb up something (gain clear
area for their wings to inflate), and they are really vunerable to predation, but note
their bodies have a somewhat yellow/black banded colouration making them look a
little like a wasp perhaps.

Cheers J.P.

[Lance Morgan]

One of my favourite British Moths

[PMG]

Fantastic! I'm so jealous - I hve only seen this species once before and I really wish to see it again! We tried mothing on a south Cumbria mossland for it (and anything else!) on Tues night just gone - but it was clear and got cold quite quick after dark - so gave in and headed back to the caravan - rewardless. Next year I might consider hatching some out for myself and bumping up the population - tho it could be fun and expensive keep riding up and down the M6 from home to Cumbria to let them go as they hatch

Pauline

[CapAndBracket]

Good luck with that, we look forward to next years images from you, they are
pretty easy, i feed them bramble (clean food and box every day) and thats it,
to think these have been in the cocoons since last July is mind boggling, if i
understood 10% of nature what a clever person i would be.



Presently last three males drying their wings on chair back and first female
has just emerged,

Cheers J.P.

[CapAndBracket]

Female emperor moth pupae, showing from left to right how when getting
ready for emergence the pupae gradually expand.

Cheers J.P.

[PMG]

Originally Posted by CapAndBracket

Good luck with that, we look forward to next years images from you, they are
pretty easy, i feed them bramble (clean food and box every day) and thats it,
to think these have been in the cocoons since last July is mind boggling, if i
understood 10% of nature what a clever person i would be.



Presently last three males drying their wings on chair back and first female
has just emerged,

Cheers J.P.

Oh my - just look at that ......... I'm not jealous - I'm not much .........

Will be having a look in the wild again this weekend weather permitting .... and next weekend may be able to enlist some help from 'my guru' fungal punk Dave - who has the uncanny ability to decide what and where he will see a certain thing - and then just walk up to it - magic - I've seen him do it too many times to disregard his prowess So fingers crossed you all may see pics and a satisfied me before next year .........

Pauline