Luna Moths Question

[tulagirl]

Hey I found a large very brown in color Luna Moth cacoon with a little wiggling creature busy inside. By the looks of the cacoon its been around a very long time, so my guess is its probably going to be breaking out of there soon.  The sounds I hear are more like little legs scratching the sides rather than a caterpiller moving around.  How long do you think it has?  I have it in a large container with many air holes and sticks/screen for it to hang on when it comes out.  Luna moths are so beautiful. I can't wait to see it.  They don't eat as they only live a week and have no mouth.  Here is a picture. Not much to see LOL.  Still making lots of noise this evening. 
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[Marigold]

I don't know how long but it sounds like soon.  I think they emerge in the morning so that they have time dry out for the evening.

I LOVE Luna's so please post pictures!   

[tulagirl]

Okay so it probably won't happen today I guess. Sigh...I hope everything goes okay and it does break out of there. That will drive me insane if it doesn't.  I could hear it wiggling and scratching when I stuck it in that big jar so..its alive at this moment...

[Kiwi]

Sounds neat, you'll definitely have to post pics.

[kaoskat]

Very cool! I'm sure it will be soon! And yes, we will need pics!

[Eviecorn]

It'll be very soon if that's the case - probably within 24 hours.

[tulagirl]

I hope so, but I heard that Luna Moths make a lot of noise the entire time they are in their cacoon.  I had no idea of this.  I sure hope this gal or guy isn't going to wait until spring. LOL.  May have to start a new thread if thats the case.  I am thinking for sure this is a Luna Moth, but one only knows after its out of that silk cacoon.  Its huge.  I am looking forward to seeing it and already considering a name.  I won't know which one to use until I see it.  Have to know if its male or female first.  Ha ha LOL  For something so beautiful to only live a week it deserves quite a name.

[Elisto]

Yeah, pretty much all moths and butterflies move around while a chrysalis or cocoon, so unfortunately it won't tell you anything about how soon it will emerge. At this point's it's a pupa, not a caterpillar or a moth, so it won't have legs that can move around until it molts and comes out. Although at least it lets you know it's alive! I'd expect it soon though since this is the right time for it. Just make sure since you have it inside where I assume there's air conditioning, that it's warm enough and has enough space for it's wings when it comes out.

[tulagirl]

Yea actually its only inside right now because we had a storm and I was worried the wind might blow the bottle over. Its in a huge water bottle so it has at least 10 inches of width to hang in.  I am going to put it back outside this evening.  I don't want to confuse it with the cooler temps in the house.

[Gingerbread]

I can't wait to see pics! Moths are so pretty.

[Elisto]

ah, cool, well I'd love to see pictures when it comes out!

[invaderhorizongreen]

I have raised a few and it will probably be out well before winter i have a robin moth right now that just went in two weeks ago. If your moth had gone in September it would be out by march or early April.  I have had a few overwinter , if you are concerned but it on a screened in porch. that way it will still be subject to normal temperatures and be sure to mist it with a little water now and then.

[tulagirl]

Well thats if it is indeed a luna moth.  I am guessing that is what it is.  I don't have a screened porch.  So at night I am keeping it in the garage and in the morning and daytime I keep it outside.  Yea I think I am supposed to mist it every other day.  I am not sure at all now about this moth.  See the thing is it was on the kids wagon.  I washed that wagon off 2 weeks ago.  I can't imagine not seeing it. So, I am not sure how missed it.  Then I ended up feeling rough and left the wagon in the middle of the yard for a week or two.  That must have been when the catepillar got on the wagon.  Then my husband moved the wagon to a sunny area and thats when I saw it today.  It can't be in full sun, that will surely kill it.  Its like soooo hot here.  So I am going to keep it in a better place but with enough light it doesn't get confused what time of year it is.  If it doesn't get enough light hours it will hybernate and I will not see the moth until after winter...so heres hoping I do this right.

[Loona]

wow, I hope everything will go fine, Luna Moths are lovely! can't wait for an update ^^