{"title":"York Insectarium Silkmoth Kits","description":"\u003cp\u003eYork Insectarium is a new insect zoo coming to York Region, focused on hands-on encounters with the invertebrates that share our world. While the doors aren’t open yet, our captive-bred livestock is already available here, starting with native giant silk moths. Watch the pale green \u003ca href=\"\/ar\/products\/luna-moth-cocoon-kit\"\u003eluna moth\u003c\/a\u003e unfold its trailing tails, the \u003ca href=\"\/ar\/products\/polyphemus-moth-cocoon-kit\"\u003epolyphemus moth\u003c\/a\u003e reveal its giant eyespots, or the \u003ca href=\"\/ar\/products\/io-moth-cocoon-kit\"\u003eio moth\u003c\/a\u003e flash its hidden “eyes.” Each kit comes with a care sheet, and a rearing cage option is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLive exhibits, birthday parties and travelling insect shows are coming soon.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"luna-moth-cocoon-kit","title":"Luna Moth Cocoon Hatching Kit (Actias luna) – York Insectarium","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReared by York Insectarium and sold through Canada Ant Colony.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWatch one of North America’s most beautiful insects emerge right in your home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe luna moth is the pale green giant of our eastern forests. Wild luna moths can reach up to 11 cm across, and each hindwing ends in a long, sweeping tail. Adults are rarely seen in the wild because they fly only at night and live for about a week. Raising one from a cocoon is the best way to see one up close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEach cocoon holds a live pupa that’s resting through the winter. The caterpillar wrapped its papery silk cocoon in leaves before winter. Inside, it’s waiting for spring warmth to finish turning into a moth. When it comes out, the moth pumps fluid into its crumpled wings. They expand and harden over a few hours, which is one of the most striking things you can watch in nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live luna moth cocoons with a care sheet. Best if you already have a mesh enclosure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons + Rearing Cage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Everything you need. Comes with a 12\" x 12\" x 12\" breathable mesh cage that gives the moth room to climb and spread its wings safely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBoth come in \u003cstrong\u003e1 cocoon\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003e3 cocoons \u003c\/strong\u003eor 5 cocoons. The 3-pack and 5-pack gives you a better chance of getting both a male and a female, so you could see mating and eggs. You can tell males by their large, feathery antennae\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 or 3 live luna moth cocoons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStep-by-step care sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMesh rearing cage (Cage version only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow it works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep it cool.\u003c\/strong\u003e Until spring, store the cocoons somewhere cold, like an unheated garage or a fridge, in a container that lets air in. This mimics winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWake it up.\u003c\/strong\u003e In spring, move the cocoons to room temperature in the cage and mist them lightly every few days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for emergence.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moths usually come out a few weeks after warming, often in the evening. Hang the cocoon or give the moth a stick to climb so its wings can hang down and expand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy and release.\u003c\/strong\u003e Adult luna moths have no working mouthparts and don’t eat. Enjoy them for a day or two, then release them outdoors at dusk. Only release them within the luna moth’s native range in eastern North America.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to know\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThese cocoons were raised at York Insectarium and some partnre breeders, where we’ve been experimenting with diet and locality this season. As a result, most moths will be somewhat smaller than wild luna moths, though they’re just as striking to watch emerge.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips within Canada Only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable October through May\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA great project for classrooms, homeschoolers and nature lovers of all ages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhotos courtesy of Alicia Ballard, Bill Sheehan, Michelle Chung \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"York Insectarium","offers":[{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408383582430,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408400064734,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408467861726,"sku":null,"price":70.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408447447262,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408383615198,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408400130270,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408467894494,"sku":null,"price":85.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408447480030,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0081\/8928\/0333\/files\/original_14_51dec258-c9af-4fe0-903c-fd05447cecb6.jpg?v=1794439691"},{"product_id":"polyphemus-moth-cocoon-hatching-kit-antheraea-polyphemus-york-insectarium","title":"Polyphemus Moth Cocoon Hatching Kit (Antheraea polyphemus) – York Insectarium","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReared by York Insectarium and sold through Canada Ant Colony.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMeet the moth with eyes on its wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe polyphemus moth is one of North America’s largest silk moths, with a wingspan of 10–15 cm. Its soft tan and brown wings are lined with pink and white bands. Each hindwing has a huge eyespot ringed in yellow, blue and black. The moth is named after Polyphemus, the one-eyed giant of Greek myth. When it’s disturbed, it flashes these “eyes” to startle predators. Small clear “windows” in the forewings let light shine through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEach kit holds a live pupa resting through the winter inside a tough, oval silk cocoon, often still wrapped in the leaf the caterpillar spun it in. In spring, the moth softens one end of the cocoon and pushes its way out. Then it slowly unfolds its wings, which can take a few hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live polyphemus cocoons with a care sheet. Best if you already have a mesh enclosure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons + Rearing Cage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Everything you need. Comes with a 12\" x 12\" x 12\" breathable mesh cage that gives this big moth room to climb and spread its wings safely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBoth come in \u003cstrong\u003e1 cocoon\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e3 cocoons \u003c\/strong\u003eor \u003cstrong\u003e5 cocoons.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 3-pack and 5 pack gives you a better chance of getting both a male and a female. Males have broad, feathery antennae, and females have thinner ones and plumper bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 or 3 or 5 live polyphemus moth cocoons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStep-by-step care sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMesh rearing cage (Cage version only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow it works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep it cool.\u003c\/strong\u003e Until spring, store the cocoons somewhere cold, like an unheated garage or a fridge, in a container that lets air in. This mimics winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWake it up.\u003c\/strong\u003e In spring, move the cocoons to room temperature in the cage and mist them lightly every few days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for emergence.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moths usually come out a few weeks after warming, often in the late afternoon or evening. Give the moth a stick or the cage wall to climb so its wings can hang down and expand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy and release.\u003c\/strong\u003e Adult polyphemus moths have no working mouthparts and don’t eat. Enjoy them for a day or two, then release them outdoors at dusk. Only release them within the species’ native range, which covers most of southern Canada and the US.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to know\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvailable October - May\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips Canada Only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA great project for classrooms, homeschoolers and nature lovers of all ages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImages courtesy of Christopher Harasta, Christine123, and Trevor Van Loon\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"York Insectarium","offers":[{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408505708766,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408505741534,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408505774302,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408505807070,"sku":null,"price":36.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408505839838,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408505872606,"sku":null,"price":41.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408505905374,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408505938142,"sku":null,"price":41.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0081\/8928\/0333\/files\/medium_1.jpg?v=1794441553"},{"product_id":"io-moth-cocoon-hatching-kit-antheraea-polyphemus-york-insectarium","title":"Io Moth Cocoon Hatching Kit (Automeris io) – York Insectarium","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReared by York Insectarium and sold through Canada Ant Colony.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA moth with a secret: the bright eyes it hides under its wings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe io moth is small for a silk moth, about 5–8 cm across, but it’s one of the most dramatic. At rest, it looks like a dead leaf. When it’s disturbed, it pulls its forewings forward to show a huge black-and-blue eyespot on each hindwing. That’s a startle display meant to scare off birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIo moths are also among the few moths where males and females look completely different. \u003cstrong\u003eMales are bright butter-yellow\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003efemales are larger and reddish-brown to purple\u003c\/strong\u003e. You won’t know which you have until it emerges, so every hatch is a surprise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eEach kit holds a live pupa resting through the winter inside a thin, papery silk cocoon. The caterpillar spun it among fallen leaves. In spring, the moth breaks out and unfolds its wings over a few hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose your kit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons Only:\u003c\/strong\u003e Live io moth cocoons with a care sheet. Best if you already have a mesh enclosure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCocoons + Rearing Cage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Everything you need. Comes with a 12\" x 12\" x 12\" breathable mesh cage that gives the moth room to climb and spread its wings safely.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBoth come in \u003cstrong\u003e1 cocoon\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003e3 cocoons \u003c\/strong\u003eor \u003cstrong\u003e5 cocoons\u003c\/strong\u003e. The 3-pack and 5-pack gives you the best chance of seeing both the yellow male and the reddish female side by side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 or 3 or 5 live io moth cocoons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStep-by-step care sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMesh rearing cage (Cage version only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow it works\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKeep it cool.\u003c\/strong\u003e Until spring, store the cocoons somewhere cold, like an unheated garage or a fridge, in a container that lets air in. This mimics winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWake it up.\u003c\/strong\u003e In spring, move the cocoons to room temperature in the cage and mist them lightly every few days.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for emergence.\u003c\/strong\u003e Moths usually come out a few weeks after warming. Give the moth a stick or the cage wall to climb so its wings can hang down and expand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnjoy and release.\u003c\/strong\u003e Adult io moths don’t eat. Enjoy them for a day or two, then release them outdoors at dusk. Only release them within the species’ native range in eastern North America.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to know\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult moths and cocoons are completely harmless to handle. \u003cstrong\u003eIf you breed them, though, io caterpillars have stinging spines.\u003c\/strong\u003e They can cause a painful rash, like a nettle sting, so handle caterpillars with gloves only.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCocoons available October - May\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips within Canada only \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA great project for classrooms, homeschoolers and nature lovers of all ages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"York Insectarium","offers":[{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408523469022,"sku":null,"price":25.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408523501790,"sku":null,"price":69.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408523534558,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons Only \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408523567326,"sku":null,"price":69.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 1 Cocoon","offer_id":49408523600094,"sku":null,"price":40.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 3 Cocoons","offer_id":49408523632862,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ 5 Cocoons","offer_id":49408523665630,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Cocoons + Rearing Cage \/ M + F (Sexed Pair)","offer_id":49408523698398,"sku":null,"price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0081\/8928\/0333\/files\/original_25_e75c94ae-7558-45c4-860a-fbf926b7fbe5.jpg?v=1794442817"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0081\/8928\/0333\/collections\/original_14_51dec258-c9af-4fe0-903c-fd05447cecb6.jpg?v=1794443869","url":"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/ar\/collections\/york-insectarium.oembed","provider":"Canada Ant Colony","version":"1.0","type":"link"}