The search for "wild" silkmoth cocoons

[Trehopr1]

Has anyone here had any luck in finding any "wild" silkmoth cocoons thus far this winter ?

I cannot say as I have had any luck but, I still get out and investigate any clumps of leaves on tree branches or other "out of place" anomalies....

[eurytides]

Have not really gone out looking. Did find a live male cecropia cocoon. Promethea is the other one that’s common in my area but I have not looked for them since I raised a bunch in the summer and have some in the garage.

[Chuck]

In our area south of @eurytides I really haven't bothered looking in decades...didn't need to, I'd just stumble on them. And if I wanted Promethea I'd step into the back yard and pull them off the trees.

After they "sprayed" for Gypsy Moths a few years ago the Saturnids have virtually disappeared.

We chatted about finding Sat cocoons a few years ago, to recap: Cecropia has typically been pretty easy to find in parks with mowed lawns and maples, look in the crooks of trees and under park benches. In my area I typically search brambles and low growth, just about where the maximum snow depth is (so, 1-2ft above ground.)

[papiliotheona]

After they "sprayed" for Gypsy Moths a few years ago the Saturnids have virtually disappeared.

The same people demanding "spongy moth" sprayings (to boost property values) are those who scream bloody murder at the thought of collecting...

[Chuck]

After they "sprayed" for Gypsy Moths a few years ago the Saturnids have virtually disappeared.

The same people demanding "spongy moth" sprayings (to boost property values) are those who scream bloody murder at the thought of collecting...

I'd have to say you're correct. Those with half a brain know the trees recover in months anyway and yes, they are the ones who aren't anti-everything. The others scream that the trees will be destroyed, lowering property value, and the same nutjobs who find a luna moth and think it's something new, the same ones who don't want you killing pretty butterflies.

Of course the state knows who votes for who, so they "spray" those gypsy moths to make people happy. Because who cares about Saturnids anyway?