Wildlife November 2011

[Anthony Darby]

The first of my emperor gum moth (Opodiphthera eucalypti) cocoons hatched on 31/10, but these pics were taken today. I heard them cutting their way out at tea time. Some silk moths (Saturniidae) produce an alkaline solvent which softens the thread. These don't. They have sharp cutting edges at the front base of the fore wings. The end of the cocoon gradually becomes thinner and they eventually cut a hole and push their way out. Pairing must be brief as they had separated by the morning of 1/11 and the female had started laying eggs. Like all saturnids, the adults don't feed as they have no mouth parts. This species is an Australian import.

[fermi de Sousa]

Anthony,
we had these around home when I was growing up - for some reason we found the cocoons on the Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua - and my sister brought some inside as a decoration. One evening we were alerted by her screams as the moth emerged from the branch sitting on her desk as she was studying! Fun times
cheers
fermi

[Anthony Darby]

Fermi, that's excellent information. Thanks. Eucalyptus is not the easiest tree to find on my doggy walks, but sweet gum is quite common, so easier to feed hungry caterpillars.

[fermi de Sousa]

Anthony,
we found the cocoons on the Liquidambar, but I can't say I ever saw the caterpillars on the leaves! There weren't a lot of eucalypts in the area so maybe the moths chose another "gum" to lay their eggs on?
cheers
fermi

[Anthony Darby]

I've checked the literature and sweet gum is accepted by the caterpillars. Time will tell.

[Lesley Cox]

What are the blobby things around the male moth?
We have gum trees by the million but none of these spactacular moths. Maybe it's too cold for them in the south?

[Paul T]

We get them here as well, although I haven't specifically seen their coccoons (the blobby things, Lesley).  We get another coccoon around the place that has fibres almost like fibreglass and they are a skin irritant.  Can't recall what they are from, but I don't think Emperor Gums.  They're more elongated than those in your pic, plus paler in colour.  Of course colour may be based on diet I guess?  Great pics.

[Anthony Darby]

As Paul says, they are the cocoons. I got them from a breeder in New Zealand. They are supposedly common from Nelson northwards, but are certainly found as far south as Christchurch. They arrived in NZ about 1938. They are kept in check by parasitoids, so never become a pest. Look for them in November/December. Hopefully I will have plenty of eggs, so if anyone wants any let me know.

[Anthony Darby]

This is special. Slow motion pictures showing "The beauty of pollination". Look for the bat with its baby, feeding on cactus pollen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xHkq1edcbk4

[ArnoldT]

Seen on the street today.

I'm 9 miles from Times Square.

[David Nicholson]

Would it go better with red or white Arnold?

[Anthony Darby]

Red, but not with cold turkey!

[Maggi Young]

Seen on the street today.

I'm 9 miles from Times Square.

Thankful to be making a getaway before Thanksgiving, I suppose .... good luck to it!

[ArnoldT]

David:

I think a nice Pinot Grigio would go well.

[Anthony Darby]

The bottle's in the fridge ready Arnold!