Cecropia cocoon

Silly me - the cecropia caterpillar wasn't in a spider web.  It was beginning to weave its cocoon. This morning the cocoon looks pretty much done. Quick work. The rose bush branch it is on would be in a vulnerable position this winter as it could get hit with snow from the roof and also be subjected to the full blast of winter winds. I'll cut the branch and put it in a more sheltered position and hopefully be able to see the moth emerge next spring..
I found an excellent video on Youtube about the full life cycle of the moth. Check it out at "Complete Metamorphosis: A Cecropia Moth Life Cycle" by David Britton. Truly amazing to see a little beige egg end up as a gorgeous Cecropia moth.

Cecropia caterpillar

My husband noticed this cecropia caterpillar on the rugosa rose this morning. It's a bit tangled up in a cobweb but it is so big - about 4" long - that I doubt the web will be of any concern. We see one of these caterpillars or the adult moth only about once every 10 years so it is always special treat to see one. I just love the different coloured spots. The caterpillar makes me think of something a child would create out of playdough or perhaps a colourful baby toy.
It will hibernate in a brown cocoon over the winter and hopefully hatch out next spring as a beautiful big brown moth with striking eye-spots on its wings. It will only live about two weeks.