Raising Polyphemus Caterpillars part 4 (the last week before cocoons)

These photos are the last ones of the caterpillars before they made their cocoons and hid inside to change. There is a children's book (which has been banned in some areas!) by Eric Carle called The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It is a silly grand picture book about a caterpillar and becoming a butterfly. The book caterpillar eats and eats a lot of inappropriate caterpillar foods. The things are also not great foods for a human to eat, but it is fiction and fiction is FUN! However, the idea behind the story is true. Caterpillars do eat and eat and eat and get very large and chubby, especially Polyphemus caterpillars. And they do turn into amazing gorgeous creatures with wings. 

 September 18. Jon's hand against either Charlie or Alpha stretching. Remember, you can't tell sexes at this stage. 

September 19. Still munching on the large leaf maple leaves. I did try to see if they'd go for a different leaf after a time of molting, some breeders have said they might. These did not. 

September 21. All squished up. 

September 25. 

And more shots of those feet!! The pale bits under the yellow and black with bristles are the suction cups.