What type of cocoon is this? - Ask Extension
I was exploring around my house and I found this attached to my siding. I have no idea if this is a cocoon but it's pretty large in size, roughly abou...
Knowledgebase
What type of cocoon is this? #604334
Asked October 26, 2019, 7:05 PM EDT
I was exploring around my house and I found this attached to my siding. I have no idea if this is a cocoon but it's pretty large in size, roughly about the size of an adult palm.
It's kind of cool, but I'm kind of scared about what could be in there. It's also October, but I don't know if that would factor in with anything.
It's kind of cool, but I'm kind of scared about what could be in there. It's also October, but I don't know if that would factor in with anything.
County
Expert Response
Hello:
Thank you for your message and for contacting Iowa State University. The cocoon on the side of your house appears to be the cocoon of the cecropia moth. This is a moderately common, very large moth in Iowa and the eastern U.S. Cecropia moths and caterpillars are not harmful.
Cecropia cocoons are usually attached to twigs as you'll see in the photos at this website. This link will also show what the large, attractive caterpillar looked like back in the summer. https://bugguide.net/node/view/4625/bgimage
The cecropia is adapted to survive the winter in the cocoon stage. No action is needed to help this individual make it through the winter to emerge as an adult moth next May.
Here is our online article for more information. https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/cecropia-moth
Websites for technical details. https://bugguide.net/node/view/4625
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hyalophora-cecropia
Thanks.
Donald Lewis
Thank you for your message and for contacting Iowa State University. The cocoon on the side of your house appears to be the cocoon of the cecropia moth. This is a moderately common, very large moth in Iowa and the eastern U.S. Cecropia moths and caterpillars are not harmful.
Cecropia cocoons are usually attached to twigs as you'll see in the photos at this website. This link will also show what the large, attractive caterpillar looked like back in the summer. https://bugguide.net/node/view/4625/bgimage
The cecropia is adapted to survive the winter in the cocoon stage. No action is needed to help this individual make it through the winter to emerge as an adult moth next May.
Here is our online article for more information. https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/cecropia-moth
Websites for technical details. https://bugguide.net/node/view/4625
https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Hyalophora-cecropia
Thanks.
Donald Lewis
