Cecropia Moth Project, Day 47

5th instar Cecropia caterpillar

The Cecropia caterpillars continue to grow, and they'll likely start spinning cocoons any day now. We are still waiting for the front horns to turn orange as we've seen on other 5th instar Cecropia caterpillars. Perhaps this won't happen. If it doesn't, we'll be curious to know why. Maybe diet?

New habitat arrangement

We changed the habitat once again to accomodate the caterpillars' desire to hang and their eventual need to spin. We drilled holes into a small wooden board and placed the water tubes and additional sticks within those holes. We are keeping the habitat flush with maple leaves. If caterpillars had emotions, I imagine they'd be happy with the new arrangement. They are quite active and eating a lot.