Cocoons for Kids

North American largest moth - wingspan 6"

The cecropia moth offers a striking visual display of the basic biological process of COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS.
There are two starting points. Buy a cocoon (shipped during February, March, April) and an adult (left) will emerge. Or buy eggs (May, June, July) and raise cecropias yourself.
A complete cecropia life cycle takes one year. Adults mate in spring or early summer. Eggs are laid that hatch in less than 2 weeks. Caterpillars hatch from eggs and eat and grow for 6 to 9 weeks. In late summer caterpillars spin cocoons and become pupas, which lie dormant inside their cocoons until spring. Then adults emerge from cocoons and the cyle begins again.
The cecropia experience can be as simple as watching an adult emerge from its cocoon, then letting it fly free. Cocoons and adults are easy to care for and adults do not eat. Or watch caterpillars emerge from their eggs, place them on a branch of a host tree, and watch them eat and grow.
Click on a picture on the products page, and learn more about ways to extend and augment the learning experience. Email me anytime. Cocoons and eggs are UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED to hatch.

To My Valued Customers,

After more than 25 years in business, Cocoons for Kids has ceased operations.

Two years ago, my cecropia stock was wiped out by disease. This year it has happened again. Although I was able to successfully raise cecropias for more than 20 years, I have no answer to whatever is currently killing cecropias.

I have speculated that my cecropia caterpillars are infected by a virus used in a commercial insecticide washed into my water supply. Last year, my daughter Abi and I boiled all of the water used in the rearing process, and we were successful. This year, using the same procedure, we were not. Not one caterpillar survived to fifth instar.

The wild population of cecropias, and the populations of wild giant silk moths in general, throughout North America, is down. In order to keep my stock genetically healthy, I attract wild males to my females to mate. I have always had more than necessary wild males fly in to my females. This year, not one wild male showed up. Four years ago, I released thousands of cecropias into the wild. I am deeply concerned about the survival of the species.

This website will close in October. My post office box will remain open until January. I will answer all outstanding correspondence and will respond to all unfinished business until then. Also, I suggest that you email me at artgoodcpa@aol.com if needed. I thank everyone for their business over the years.

Sincerely,

Art Good