Happy Anniversary Camera Critters!

Our kids were off for spring break this week, so we planned a short get-away to Columbus.  Our favorite place we visited was the Franklin Park Conservatory.  I’ll be writing more about that this week as time allows.  For today, I wanted to share with you some photos of the hatching case from their butterfly exhibit.  I could have stood there all day watching the various butterflies and moths emerge.
These are Luna Moths (Actias luna) and their cocoons. 
   When first the moths emerge, their wings are crumpled and their abdomens are swollen.  As the moth clutches the cocoon, it will pump the fluid from it’s abdomen into its wings.

The feathery antennae are one of the easiest ways to distinguish moths from butterflies.  In the background on the right, another moth is emerging.

Wings fully extended, the Luna moth will continue to hang suspended from its former home until its wings have fully hardened.  The exhibit staff person told us that it takes about 3 hours from the time they “hatch” to the time they are released into the exhibit.
For the sake of perspective, I really should start carrying a small ruler along and include one photo for scale.  Since I did not though, you’ll have to trust me when I say that the cocoons ranged from 2.5 to 3 inches in length.  This moth was about 5.5 inches long from tip to tail.  Average wingspan is about 4.5 inches.