Re: Southeastern PA update
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Southeastern PA update
- From: M*@aol.com
- Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 02:47:30 EDT
In a message dated 8/2/99 2:43:14 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Sclrke@aol.com
writes:
<< Now, a question for you naturalists. I was up on
my ladder pollinating gourds last night (they bloom at night), when I felt
this buzzing over my shoulder. I turned to see the biggest moth I have ever
seen in my life working the gourd flowers. When I tell you that it was the
size of a small bird, I am not exaggerating. I almost fell off of the
ladder. Later on, I saw two of them working the plants. Now I now that
gourds are usually pollinated by moths, but I've never seen anything like
this. Can anyone out there tell me what it was that I had a close encounter
with? >>
Hi Steve
It's been awhile. My trellis blew over this weekend but I will try to get it
back up without damaging the plant, if possible. The long gourd was doing
well and I'll be better prepared with a stronger, more permanent trellis next
year. I think I may be hooked on the gourds along with pumpkins.
Attached photo of Polyphemus Moth. We see them from time to time along with
Luna Moth. It may be the largest moth in our area. My 11 year old son had one
of these grow from a caterpillar he took to school in early Fall, where it
spun its cacoon while the class watched. He kept it in a jar through the
Winter and in late Spring the adult emerged. They are quite impressive in
size and beauty.
Marv Hicks
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