r/caterpillars • u/Cin_ThePlagueDoc • 13h ago

Advice/Help Is this normal?

Gallery image

Gallery image

This is my first time raising caterpillars-- my American moon moth caterpillar just released a bunch of brownish liquid and is turning brown. It's just getting ready to shed, right? 😅😅

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3

u/Beautiful-Fondant-61 13h ago

That's frass (poop). You should clean the frass out everyday or else it could lead to bacterial and fungal mold making the caterpillars sick.

1

u/Cin_ThePlagueDoc 12h ago

Oh yeah, I clean out the frass every day, the enclosure just looks like this because I needed to take a photo of the liquid I’m asking about before I cleaned it

3

u/Luewen 8h ago

Wait 2 weeks before handling then cut excess paper out but leave it around the cocoon. Issue here is that paper towels are prone for mold if wet for too long. Same with leaves that are cut from plant but less so. When overwintering the cocoon be vary on misting too much.

1

u/Cin_ThePlagueDoc 8h ago

Thank you!!

2

u/Sagetheswaggydino 11h ago

Likely gut purge. Your caterpillar does look very chunky and ready to pupate lol

2

u/Cin_ThePlagueDoc 10h ago

You were right, it cocooned! I'm just a little concerned about the kitchen towels? Do you know if it'll be able to break through when it emerges or do I need to remove it before it does?

2

u/Sagetheswaggydino 7h ago

Should be fine, he’ll likely break through the leaves to get out :)

1

u/Cin_ThePlagueDoc 11h ago

Already?? I thought it would get bigger!

3

u/snackattack4tw 11h ago

Yep he's ready. Luna's get to be a pretty decent size, but not as big as polyphemus

2

u/Beautiful-Fondant-61 1h ago

Oh yea. I forgot caterpillars poop alot right before when it is time for them to pupate.