[SEMCO] Cecropia Available for Nature Release of Educational Purposes

[Sharl Heller]

Would you like to adopt Cecropia (Hyalophora cecropia)—the largest native moth in North America?
Over 100 Cecropia caterpillars at SEMPBA are alive and well and looking for homes. These husky critters have grown from the eggs laid by the moths that emerged from cocoons we were given last year to protect from parasitic flies. As our Cecropia caterpillars enter their 4th and 5th instar stages, they will need more space than we can provide. Because predation is so high, few of these caterpillars will survive long in the wild. To raise the odds in their favor, we will need to spread them out over a large distance or find them an adoptive home.
If you would like to shelter these amazing creatures over the next few months before they build their cocoons, or if you know where black cherry trees grow undisturbed where you could place a Cecropia or two, we would like you to consider adopting a caterpillar or two. 
If you place your caterpillars in the wild, we simply ask that you report back on their progress and let us know if they survive to build a cocoon. If you decide to shelter the caterpillars in captivity, then we ask that you release the adults when they emerge next spring. 
The caterpillars are really charming little creatures but there is cleaning involved and this particular group can only eat wild black cherry leaves, which you will have to be able to identify. 
You will be doing them (and us) a great service by helping to distribute them in nature. And, if you decide to shelter them over the next year you will have the pleasure of learning first hand about the Cecropia in your life.
Please read the article about Hyalophora cecropia through its entirety at: http://bugguide.net/node/view/4625 before deciding to adopt.

The Cecropia are free, though donations are always welcomed. You can easily build your own shelter or purchase an inexpensive butterfly cage (recommended by our Entomologist friends) from the Butterflies of Cape Cod, Bourne, or online at http://www.enasco.com/product/SB46624M. We also have a few extra on hand for sale.

If you would like to adopt a Cecropia or two, contact us at sempba at pinebarrensalliance.org to schedule a time for you to come to the SEMPBA Conservation Center at 204 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, to choose your caterpillars. 

Happy National Moth Week everybody!

Sharl Heller
Southeastern Massachusetts 
Pine Barrens Alliance, Inc.
204 Long Pond Road
Plymouth, MA 02360
(774) 773-9982
www.pinebarrensalliance.org

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