manduca sexta
manduca sexta
This print was originally created using watercolor, gouache, ink, colored pencil, and graphite.
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This painting is of a hawk moth’s full life cycle. Starting from the bottom left moving right is the moth’s eggs to caterpillar, to cocoon, to finally a full grown moth.
Here’s a few facts about the manduca sexta life cycle. The caterpillars hatch from their eggs, then for five to six weeks they grow to large caterpillars. They have various stages of molting called staring. As they grow, they become a bright teal color, and as they get ready for pupation, they turn to a yellowish green. From there, they have their last staring and emerge as a cocoon. They reside in their cocoon as a pupa for about a week, then emerge as a fully grown moth. The moth will live for up to three weeks, being one of Colorado’s biggest pollinators.
I was able to raise manduca sexta caterpillars to moths, so I could witness their metamorphosis in person. :)
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If you have any questions, you can reach me at corrin@brevityart.work