THE LIFE CYCLE OF LEPIDOPTERA

EXAMPLE OF LARVAL GROWTH TO ADULT (PUSS MOTH)

Straight out of the egg and this hungry fellar was on the go

 

Within approximately a week the typical pattern of the larva was showing

 

More familiar by the day this critter was becoming an impressive creature

 

Elongating and adopting the facial eye spots to ward off predators

 

Finally - bulked up and darkening a day before the pupation stage

 

The pupa is found within a hard cocoon made from material chewed up by the larva

 

The cocoon is as thus and can be quite hard to find in the field

 

And at last, after a winter of preparation, a beautiful puss moth is had

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