How do you tell the gender of a caterpillar?

To tell if a caterpillar cocoon is dead, you must be brave (yes, it gets kinda gross) and have a keen eye.

There are two ways which are both almost always accurate, but using both will give you the right answer.

1st Way: Cocoons darken a little just before the moth or butterfly emerges. However, if it is overly dark, almost black, or a dark burgundy or dark green, it's dead.

2nd Way: Pick up the cocoon very gentle. Then slowly, carefully bend it just a little in the abdominal area. If the 'tail end' bends back, your cocoon is still alive. If not, it's dead.