Rusty tussock moth cocoon

Orgyia antiqua

This is a cocoon spun by the caterpillar I featured here on 3 July

It measures 24 mm in length.

If you look closely you can see a series of black hairs woven into the cocoon. I suspect these were the ominous setae which covered the caterpillar and could be charged with toxins by the caterpillar.

Perhaps these are once again a defence mechanism.

The female moth when it hatches, remains attached to the cocoon and exudes pheromones to attract a male.

The male has wings and goes in search for a female

I wait with baited breath to see what will hatch.