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.

PLEASE NOTE: For the first time since I began to raise cecropia moths, over 20 years ago, I was unable to raise them successfully last summer. UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME I CAN NO LONGER SUPPLY ANY COCOONS. A cecropia population is highly susceptible to plagues of different sorts. Last summer, a plague occurred for which I could not find an answer.

I will attempt to raise cecropias again in 2009. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you,

          Art Good