Caterpillar Conundrum
Monarch butterfly caterpillars are easy to identify. It’s probably the best known and most photographed caterpillar around.
Hungry Hungry Caterpillar
click for larger size
The Conundrum:
My problem seems to be that no one has posted one like this before. I’ve looked through hundreds of thumbnails and haven’t come across it yet.
click for background image sized 1024 x 768
Whatever it is, it’s a real looker. In both a pretty and a disturbing kind of way. Looking at the back end you can say ‘yep, that’s the rear’ but when you get to the head I bet you do a double take. At least I did since to me it looks like the caterpillar is excreting a Ladybug.
click for wallpaper sized image
I know there’s a reason for the fancy makeup. Mother Nature wouldn’t stick a Ladybug’s rear end on this caterpillar’s face just for giggles.
If you happen to know the identity of this caterpillar please let me know. I’ve come to the point where I give up trying on-line. The next step is to buy a field guide and hope. …and I’m not about to spend money on this clown.
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September 12th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Wow… amazing!!
September 12th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I’ll give it a look in my books. No promises.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
You know, they are remaking Alice In Wonderland. Tim Burton has some really strange looking characters in all his movies. Maybe this one escaped.
September 12th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Fabulous pics !
I think cats are the best. They’re just gorgeous.
I’m leaning towards Eight-spotted Forester (Alypia octomaculata).
(The moth is lovely too).
September 12th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Cool, not matter what it is!
September 13th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Both the antennas of the Monarch butterfly caterpillars are pointing up so high, maybe my comment can be sent over through this station.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Simply Wow!!!
Amazing shots….
September 13th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Holy smokes. Those are incredible caterpillar photos. Are you sure you aren’t a National Geographic photographer? My first visit here.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:51 am
After spending about an hour looking at pictures of caterpillars on bugnet.org and whatsthatbug.com (because I am addicted to the thrill of identification), I have discovered three things:
a) life is wondrous in all its variety
b) you take great pictures
c) I think your caterpillar is the Pearly Wood-Nymph! Have a look:
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/insects/cateast/eudrunio.htm
September 13th, 2009 at 9:10 am
WiseAcre- You are so BAD for me. You know I can’t let a species go unidentified. I have Peterson First Guide to caterpillars and it seems to unquestionably be the Eight Spotted Forester moth caterpillar. “plant foods include grape, Boston ivy, Virginia creeper. Found at the edge of woods, in vineyards and in cities. The adult moth has a black body and wings with a total of 8 spots: two yellow spots on each forewing and two white spots on each hindwing.”
September 13th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I love how monarch caterpillars seem to have two sets of antennae. That orange one is indeed freaky wild. I like it!
September 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I agree with Monica word for word lol.
Great photos!
September 20th, 2009 at 2:48 am
Beautiful pictures and how fun to help identify an unknown of which I do not know but looks like you got help. I had three Monarch caterpillars on my Furr Balls bush today. It felt victorious. I’m going out tomorrow to take pictures.