Carved, Turned lidded hollow form, Chrysalis *LINK*
Keith Newton
I've been wanting to bring more of the subject matter from my Nature photography into my woodworking. When I found the second Cecropia Moth cocoon in five years this Winter, I took that as sort of a kick in the butt. Then when I lucked onto a nice big piece of Bradford Pear shortly after, I finally got around to something I'd been contemplating for much too long.
For anyone wondering what a chrysalis is. When the last instar of the caterpillar / larva phase is mature, it spins a silk cocoon. Actually the Cecropia Moth does a two layer cocoon, with a loosely filled insulated space between them. After the cocoons are complete, it wiggles out of it's skin, then a new skin forms which you can make out the shape of some of the features of the moth in, like antenna, legs, wings, and abdomen segments. The wings are all wrinkled up, like a packed parachute.
The Cecropia is the largest native American moth, and one of the most colorful. I've read some studies about moths and their ability for the males to find the females by following the tiny scent of pheromones which she secretes. As this tiny stream of molecules drift through the air, the males, using their antennae are able to follow it through field and forest for miles to get to her first. When a male arrives, she quits producing pheromones, so the first one there gets the prize.
The link below has some pics of the carving, and I'll put some of one of the chrysalis and maybe the moth as well.
I'm pretty sure this won't be the only one of these that I do. I'll probably use different tools for a coarser look where some of the smoother surfaces are on this one. Any feedback on details an finish would be appreciated.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7391658@N03/albums/72157666182472932
