{"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","url":"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/fil\/products\/polyphemus-moth-cocoon-hatching-kit-antheraea-polyphemus-york-insectarium","provider":"Canada Ant Colony","version":"1.0","type":"link"}