The first of the luna moths started their eclosions today.
The first moth emerged very quickly and noisily--in about five minutes' time. We had to cut a strand of silk that still tethered it to its cocoon, which felt somewhat ceremonial. It appears to be a male, as evidenced by its large antennae.
It quickly made its way up to the screen, and pumped its fluids into its expanding wings. Eventually, it was able to flap its wings in the sun. Amazing how similar their coloration is to that of pitcher plants, also native to the region.
A second luna moth eclosed out on the back porch when we were busy with sketches for a client, and took its place next to the first one. This was also a male.
So to recap: millions of years of evolution have brought about a survival strategy that allows for a certain organism to create a suspended animation pod from organic detritus; a micro-environment which is capable of lasting the months of cold and darkness brought about by this planet's revolution about our star. During this time, the organism transforms its entire physical structure. This organism ultimately emerges from its capsule in mere minutes, just as others of its kind do the same. Within a few hours they are ready to mate, and are dead within a week's time. The fact that they do not drink or eat when adults furthers the likening of these beautiful little creatures to night-flowers that bloom, fly, make love and quickly fade away.
5/16 Update: a lively third male eclosed during dinner.
We decided to release two of the three males after they'd had their run of the house for a short while. We then escorted them to the back porch, where one lingered for some time. The light through its wings brought to the mind's ear a nocturne in plum, green and gold:
5/18: Two females eclosed today, bringing the total to two females and three males. I have placed one female in one of the pens overnight with the remaining male, accompanied with a little mood music, mainly old Philly soul--they are making a dreadful racket at the moment. Tomorrow I will check on their progress, then take the eggs laid on the bag's inner wall and set up a larval nursery for the summer. I'll be curious to see if these two females might attract male Lunas with their phermones if left out on the porch.
5/19: An unbelievable ruckus in the house last night, thanks to our little charges. We awake to find the male and female conjoined! We must move quietly about the house, lest we disturb them and they separate (they must remain conjoined for almost 24 hours in order to fully fertilize the female's eggs). Over the following night, the female and male disengaged and the female laid her eggs all over the top screen of her enclosure. I must now replace their screen and prepare for the larvae that will likely emerge from the eggs within the week, which means looking for every sweetgum tree in the area. I am thinking of freeing the larvae after the third or fourth instar, perhaps keeping a couple to see if I can overwinter the cocoons. Fear of introducing an inbred strain of luna moths to the area may prevent me from this plan, however.
5/21-5/22: Two more females have eclosed. I hope the evenings grow warmer this week so that I might leave the females out to attract wild males.
Two Luna cocoons remain uneclosed. I am uncertain as to when I may see any activity in the Prometheas.
W