Caterpillars That Turn Into Cocoons

Many species of caterpillars go through a metamorphosis process, in which they inhabit a cocoon for a period of time before emerging as a butterfly or moth. Cocoons act as a protective covering to shield the caterpillar from the natural elements while the transformation is taking place. Typically, cocoons are weaved together from silk produced from two glands located on the caterpillar's body.

  1. Luna Moth Caterpiller

    • The luna moth caterpillar is the pupal stage of the giant silkworm moth. During this development stage, the caterpillar is green in color and about 2.5 inches long. They prefer to eat the leaves from shrubs or trees such as red maple, white oak and American beech. This species of caterpillar goes through a molting process prior to making its cocoon. The typical metamorphosis process for the luna moth caterpillar lasts from two to three weeks inside the cocoon.

    Puss Caterpillar

    • The puss caterpillar is one of the most toxic caterpillars in North America because it leaves a severe rash on your skin after contact. This species of caterpillar is the pupa stage of the flannel moth and is completely gray or tan with silky hairs. The larvae grow to 1.5 inches in length at full maturity and feed on different trees and shrubs, such as hollies. They construct their cocoons just before winter and hibernate inside till the spring when they emerge as flannel moths.

    Monarch Caterpillars

    • Monarch caterpillars are well known for their evolution into the monarch butterfly, which migrates great distances. The monarch pupae prefer to feed on the toxic milkweed plant. Marked with yellow, white and black stripes that cover their entire body, monarch caterpillar are 1 to 2 inches in length when fully mature. They will undergo a molting process several times before entering the metamorphosis stage of their development. They typically spend between eight to 10 days in their cocoon before emerging as monarch butterflies.

    Gum Emperor Moth

    • Beginning as a dark brown pupa with orange and yellow spots located on the ends of their body, gum emperor moth caterpillars eventually become large and bluish green at full maturity. They prefer to feed on the leaves of eucalyptus trees, but will also consume silver birch, apricot trees and grapevines. A fully-grown caterpillar of this species can get as large as 4.5 inches in length. The gum emperor moth spins its cocoon, which it then uses to winter over in, emerging during the spring months.