Simple Facts About Moths & Butterflies

Spread Your Wings: A few interesting facts about some moths and butterflies and caterpillars. If kept as pets it might be helpful for you to know their natural habits.

1. The adult cecropia is one of the largest moths in North America. The silk cocoon containing the pupa of this moth is often spun to a twig, on the branch of a tree.

2. The adult Luna moth is a common night creature east of the Rockies. The Luna moth caterpillars grow rapidly as they feed on tree leaves.

3. Garden pests like the tomato hornworms pupate underground, then emerge as sphinx moths.

4.The Monarch butterflies fly south and winter in Mexico and California, and the Caribbean. After hatching from an egg, a monarch caterpillar eats milkweed, which renders it toxic to animals that would eat it. A clear chrysalis protects the monarch pupa has it hangs from a stem or branch.

5. The tiger swallowtail butterflies are American favorites for gardens.
Deception is intended by the tiger swallowtail caterpillars fake head.
Their pupae are held in a head-up position by strands of silk.

6. The Baltimore butterfly pupa is bright white with colored spots.

Do you know of any little tidbits about different moths or butterflies?
Please share them here and we will keep the list growing.