Antheraea polyphemus

Pupae are initially a greenish yellow and quickly turn a pale chestnut brown as they harden. Wing casings and outlines of external structures are clearly visible on the pupal shell immediately after the caterpillar sheds its skin inside the cocoon. Sex can be determined, with some practice, based on the outline of the antennae. Although the antennae seem quite broad on this female pupa, they are much broader on a male pupa. All images courtesy of Jeff Ausmus; layout and text by Bill Oehlke.

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