SPECIAL UPDATE, 2 July 2009

from the female Polyphemus featured laying eggs in the 20 June 2009 post, i kept 8 eggs for myself to raise and released the rest in various locations with known host plants. and now, 12 days later, i have 8 tiny, baby Poly caterpillars! their lives have been recorded from the very moment of birth as an egg, and if all goes well their lives will continue to be documented daily as they grow and eventually become adult Polyphemus moths, which will hopefully mate and then be released into the wild.

Day One of Polyphemus Caterpillar Hatchlings

in the container, recently hatched


in the container with american sweetgum provided for food