Saturnia pavonia ligurica Eclosing
Jan Hellert

Many breeders pin their cocoons to a vertical structure with easy access for the moths to a hanging strata. Some people cut off the neck of cocoon to aid with eclosions. Here Jan has made a lateral window, perhaps for sexing, perhaps just to watch initial stage of eclosion.

Pupal development can also be examined to determine how imminent the eclosion is; cooling can slow the process while warming can hastening it. Some breeders use this to synchronize eclosions of males and females and also to synchronize eclosions of closely related species for hybridization.

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