Tented Twig
Tent Caterpillars* were at work in May in the nearby woods. In my photo they are not at home, and are literally out to lunch. They are social creatures and go out in groups to find and eat tender spring leaves.
Here in Central Europe, it seems likely that the caterpillars who built this nest are the larvae of the Lackey Moth**, but I'm no entomologist. The home-making and food-finding behaviors of these caterpillars, and the overall life cycle of the moths they become, are easily as complex and sophisticated as those of the honeybee.
I am amazed at all the different structures that insects, animals and birds create in which to live and to raise their young.
Location: Wooded area, Moostal, Riehen BS Switzerland.
In my album: Dan's Little Lives.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_caterpillar
**https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lackey_moth
Tented Twig
Tent Caterpillars* were at work in May in the nearby woods. In my photo they are not at home, and are literally out to lunch. They are social creatures and go out in groups to find and eat tender spring leaves.
Here in Central Europe, it seems likely that the caterpillars who built this nest are the larvae of the Lackey Moth**, but I'm no entomologist. The home-making and food-finding behaviors of these caterpillars, and the overall life cycle of the moths they become, are easily as complex and sophisticated as those of the honeybee.
I am amazed at all the different structures that insects, animals and birds create in which to live and to raise their young.
Location: Wooded area, Moostal, Riehen BS Switzerland.
In my album: Dan's Little Lives.
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_caterpillar
**https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lackey_moth