Monthly Archives: April 2020

Finding a Cecropia Cocoon

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Cecropia cocoon

My wandering is reduced now that I am socially distancing for the good of humanity or as I prefer to think of it “exiled for the sake of the realm.” However, nature still surrounds me. I spotted a Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia) cocoon in a neighbor’s Red Maple. I left it in place. Cecropia cocoons are tapered on both ends and spun along a twig. Leaves are frequently incorporated into the cocoon, giving it better camouflage. The cocoon encloses the moth’s pupa.

Newly emerged female Cecropia L Mating pair R

 Cecropias emerge in southern Michigan at the end of May or the beginning of June. The adult moths do not eat. They live no more than two weeks. Females usually die shortly after laying their eggs. Cecropia Moths are one of Michigan’s largest moths having a wingspan of 10 to 15 cm [4 to 6 inches].

3rd Instar larva
4th Instar larva
5th Instar larva

The larvae develop through five instars. In Cecropia larvae the markings of the instar changes during the instar’s development and not just at the molting. “Hyalophora cecropia: A Life Cycle Photo Journal” webpage shows the development of a larva (See link below). The larvae feed on a wide assortment of plants including: Box-elder, Red Maple, Wild Cherry, Basswood, Elm, Willow, Apple, and Poplar. A friend once gave me four larvae that I reared on Lilac.

Starting to spin the cocoon

When I was growing up, I would find a dozen or more Cecropia cocoons each winter. They are harder to find now, so it is nice to know that a few are still around.

Mating pair of Cecropia

Link to “Hyalophora cecropia: A Life Cycle Photo Journal” webpage.

 
Copyright 2020 by Donald Drife

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Screech-owl Pellet

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Eastern Screech-owl L Owl Pellet R

I am “social distancing” myself because of the COVID-19 virus. My nature observations are limited to my neighborhood, reminding me that I am surrounded by nature. 

Dissected owl pellet

I found an owl pellet in my front “lawn.” I see or hear a Great Horned Owl in my yard a few times a year. Eastern Screech-owls nest here. The pellet I found was about 2-inches long, too small to be from a Great Horned Owl. Owls swallow their prey whole and regurgitate undigested feathers, bones, fur, and the hard parts of insects. Dissecting pellets reveals part of the diet of an owl. It does not show soft-bodied animals such as worms or soft-shelled insects. Eastern Screech-owls eat small birds, small mammals, worms, insects, frogs and even crawfish. My pellet contained feathers and the upper mandible of a bird. From the shape of the mandible I believe it was from a House Sparrow. It is difficult to determine the feather color after they have been in an owl’s stomach.

Eastern Screech-owls live in suburbia and nest in a tree cavity in my yard just outside of Detroit. We once found a family of young owls lined up along a branch over our deck. I think they look undignified when they come at twilight to our birdbath. I often hear them calling in the early evening or just after dark. They do not “hoot” as a stereotypical owl does, but they have a soft, trilling, whinny call. The link at the bottom of the page will take you to Bird-sounds.net and you can listen to their call. If you learn their distinctive call, you might hear it in your own yard.

Learn their call and listen for them. They are nesting now, and when they are on territory, they are more vocal.

Link to Screech-owl call on Bird-sounds.

 
Copyright 2020 by Donald Drife

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