(From SVBC member Judy Richardson)

One fall I found a big cocoon, brought it home, put it in my screened porch and forgot about it.

The following spring, I was amazed to see it had hatched and hung from the cocoon, gathering strength to fly. At that point I rushed to take it outside, hoping to beat its first flight!
Luckily, it was still groggy and I managed to free it with this last photo of its beauty… an adult Polyphemus, one of our silk moths! They don’t feed, only breed, and live just a couple of weeks, spending most of their time a big green caterpillars.

Photos courtesy of Judy Richardson