(written by Tina and with the help of Cory) I fear insects. However, my encounter with a cecropia moth and caring for her 100+ baby caterpillars became one of the best experiences of my life. To this day, I still miss them dearly.
It was early evening on May 26, 2024, when my husband Cory and I discovered a stunningly beautiful moth near the doorstep of our music studio in Markham. We were surprised that such a large, eye-catching creature remained in this busy spot for hours without moving. Concerned for her safety, we eventually brought her inside.
We placed her in a large box covered with mesh, wondering why she seemed so motionless. Knowing nothing about moths at the time, we offered her honey, only to later learn that most silk moths lack mouthparts and cannot eat as adults.
Late that night, she began fluttering her wings. We let her out of the box, and she flew around the studio. Soon after, I noticed a cluster of eggs on the doorframe and realized she was laying eggs—some even on Cory's hand! While fascinated, my entomophobia left me shrieking and running whenever she flew near me.
Our studio is on a busy street, and a nearby field, once home to many small animals, had recently been cleared for constructing a new building. We believed she was one of the few survivors and felt as though she brought her babies to us for a better chance at survival. When we attempted to release her to a maple tree, she clung tightly to Cory, unwilling to leave.
Within days, she had finished laying all her eggs, which we carefully gathered into a box while learning online how to raise them. Unsure if the eggs were fertilized, we checked them daily, eagerly awaiting an answer. On May 30, mama moth passed away. We buried her under a bush and promised to care for her babies if they hatched.
To our excitement, on June 5, the eggs started to hatch! Watching tiny, black, spiny caterpillars emerge—smaller than grains of rice—felt miraculous. And so began our adventure of raising 100+ caterpillars.
As they grew rapidly, indoor rearing became increasingly challenging. Maintaining proper humidity and airflow was essential to keep them hydrated and prevent mold. What began with one small box soon expanded to fill all the space we could spare—three large insect-rearing tents, several smaller ones, and any containers we could find. The caterpillars ate and pooped prodigiously, demanding constant care. Cory collected maple leaves daily, nearly defoliating nearby trees and earning curious looks from neighbors, while I spent hours each day providing "5-star room service" —carefully transferring them with soft brushes, removing old foliage and droppings, and setting up fresh leaves in their cozy "Hotel Caterpillar."
We can only imagine what studio visitors must have speculated upon seeing the setup. The caterpillars drew quite an audience, and it was wonderful to see kids so fascinated by them.
Raising them brought countless memorable moments. Observing their life cycle was eye-opening, and we felt a deep sense of accomplishment as they progressed through each molt in their five-instar process. I found them adorable no matter what they were doing—eating, napping, crawling, or even pooping. Their collective munching was a soothing white noise, occasionally punctuated by the loud "thump!" of a caterpillar falling onto the tray below.
At times, some caterpillars developed diarrhea, requiring isolation to prevent potential disease spread. While a few didn’t make it, many recovered and rejoined the group. When two caterpillars got stuck while molting, Cory gently peeled off their old skin. Another tense moment occurred when a fourth-instar was accidentally washed out and stuck on the kitchen sink drain holes during container cleaning. I cried out at the sight of the drenched little thing and carefully dried him with paper towels. To our immense relief, after some hours, he revived and grew strong again!
At first, I avoided touching them, jumping in fright if I accidentally brushed against one while cleaning. But as cocooning approached, I knew it was now-or-never. I mustered the courage to let one crawl onto my finger. It was ticklish but magical. Their smooth, cool skin and gentle, innocent nature stirred a deep maternal affection in me. From that moment on, I loved handling them and seized every chance to do so.
When it came time to cocoon, we were anxious about whether the conditions were right. To our great relief, they finally started one by one. They wandered around, searching for the perfect spot, and spun their silk chambers with diligent, figure-8 motions. By August 18, there were no more green, goofy cuties in sight, leaving me with bittersweet emotions—I imagine it’s similar to sending kids off to college.
As we’re leaving the country in January 2025, heading for Taiwan, we couldn’t overwinter them to witness their spring emergence and had to seek help. We reached out to the TEA (Toronto Entomologists’ Association), and we’re deeply grateful to Alan Macnaughton and his daughter Bessie for kindly driving from Kitchener to Markham in September to pick up the cocoons. It was lovely meeting them, and we’re thrilled the cocoons are now safely overwintering outdoors and will be distributed at the TEA’s April rearing meeting at the Toronto Zoo administration building. Alan tells me that this will be by far the largest number of cocoons he has been able to give away at one of these meetings. We can’t wait to see photos and videos of the eclosing moths, knowing their journey will continue meaningfully.
Cecropia caterpillars are, in my opinion, among the prettiest in the world. With their vibrant green skin, colorful tubercles in shades of reddish-orange, yellow, and blue, they look like they’ve stepped straight out of a cartoon. And the moths themselves are equally gorgeous. This experience transformed my perspective on insects and left me with a lifelong fondness for moths and caterpillars.
We’re creating a video with the footage I captured and will share it on our YouTube channel (@AwesomeKidsSongs) once it’s finished. I hope it inspires others to appreciate these incredible creatures as much as we do.
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