Cecropia Moth

[ns22]

Found this while hiking, how do I raise it? Thanks!

 

[Ranitomeya]

That looks more like a Ceanothus Silkmoth or Glover's Silkmoth caterpillar than a Cecropia Silkmoth caterpillar judging by the coloration. They feed on Ceanothus, but will also accept willow leaves as well as a bunch of other tree and shrub leaves.

 

[ns22]

Thanks!

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Don't be too surprised if it turns into a brood of parasitic wasps instead of a moth... That's the sad reality of large caterpillars like this.

 

[Ranitomeya]

Instead of parasitic wasps, I often get big tachinid fly maggots.

 

[Goodkoalie]

Pretty much just feed it whatever it was eating. They tend to not like to switch host plants at this stage. It is in it's final instar, and will soon be spinning its cocoon. 

 

[Salmonsaladsandwich]

Instead of parasitic wasps, I often get big tachinid fly maggots.

Yikes that's even worse. Especially if they're Compsilura concinnata.

 

[Sticky]

Monsters! Do they hurt mantids too if eaten? I caught one checking out my caterpillar cage and gave it to one of my big girls.

 

[Ranitomeya]

Parasitoids are usually pretty specific. If they're not species or genus specific, they are usually at least order specific. There are exceptions, but I don't believe you have to worry about tachinid flies parasitizing mantises if they parasitize caterpillars.