HomeWalking into the Butterfly Greenhouse of the Insectarium of the Zoo, there is a row of dead leaves hanging in the first window, which are actually the cocoons of emperor moths.
(Provided by Taipei Zoo)
[Reporter Cai Yahua/Taipei Report] In the butterfly greenhouse of the Taipei Zoo Insectarium, a row of dead leaves hung in the first window, which aroused the curiosity of tourists. The garden pointed out that this is the cocoon of the emperor moth. It will spin cocoons on the leaves and pull the leaves together to wrap them up. The outer cocoon is like a tent and is mainly used to fix the leaves. The inner cocoon is like a sleeping bag, which is denser than the outer structure. The upper end of the cocoon has a tight opening that serves as a The moth emerges from there when it emerges.
According to the garden, the emperor moth belongs to the Cephalidae family and is one of the largest known moths in the world. Its wingspan is about 20 to 30 centimeters, and the outer edge of its forewing has a wavy depression. Ultrasonic waves are highly reflected back, making it easier for bats to notice and attack the wing tips of the emperor moth, increasing the chance of escape.
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The park mentioned that in the 1960s and 1970s, Taiwan was known as the Butterfly Kingdom, and the butterfly processing industry was popular in Puli Town, Nantou. At that time, the cocoons of the king moth were made into coin purses, and some people in other parts of Asia used their cocoons as other woven fabrics. , the silk of the emperor moth has a certain durability.
However, it is not so easy to find these cocoons in the wild, because the cocoons disguised as leaves have a good stealth effect in the bushes.
In addition to the pupae, there is also a chance to see larvae in the display window of the emperor moth. The garden pointed out that the larvae after the 2nd instar will start to secrete wax, so they will be covered with white powder. The chest and the back of the abdomen secrete some defensive clear fluid.
The body size of the final instar larva can reach more than 10 centimeters, belonging to the large Lepidoptera larvae.
The outer cocoon of the emperor moth is like a tent, which is mainly used to fix the leaves, while the inner cocoon is like a sleeping bag, which is denser than the outer structure.
(Provided by Taipei Zoo)
After the second instar, the larvae of the emperor moth will start to secrete wax, so they will be covered with white powder.
(Provided by Taipei Zoo)
The emperor moth belongs to the Cephalidae family and is one of the largest known moths in the world, with a wingspan of about 20-30 cm.
(Provided by Taipei Zoo)