{"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","url":"https:\/\/canada-ant-colony.com\/fr\/products\/luna-moth-cocoon-kit","provider":"Canada Ant Colony","version":"1.0","type":"link"}