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