While this may look more like something your cat coughed up, it’s the cocoon of a Giant Silkmoth—likely the Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus) or “Kasloensis” (Hyalophora euryalus kasloensis). Last year, the caterpillar spun the cocoon in the outer part of a host plant and attached it to a twig one-half its length…”tucking in” for the winter. The adults can generally emerge from early May through early June. With a 4 to 5 inch wingspan, they are hard to miss.
Size: Approximately 2 inches
Photo by: Kristi DuBois on 5/10/22 near Missoula, MT