Fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi) cocoon, made out of silk that the moth caterpillar or larva spins around itself then pupates inside. Metamorphosis.

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This cocoon was found in the wild attached to the underside of piece of corrugated iron that had been placed on a heathland site for reptile surveying, also called a reptile transect tin. The dark pupa can be seen at the right hand end of the cocoon.

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Size: 4966px × 3311px
Location: Hankley Common, Surrey, UK
Photo credit: © Gillian Pullinger / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: caterpillar, cocoon, development, developmental, fauna, fox, heath, heathland, insect, invertebrate, kingdom, larva, larval, lepidoptera, macrothylacia, metamorphose, metamorphosing, metamorphosis, moth, nature, protect, protected, protection, pupa, pupate, pupation, rubi, silk, silken, stage, uk, united, wildlife