Doomed by a White Pill - _TNY_6291P2
Do you see that white pill behind the head on this mottled umber (Erannis defoliaria) caterpillar?
That's an egg which I believe came from a parasitic fly (Tachinidae sp.). When it hatches, the fly larvae will begin parasitizing on the host and eventually kill it.
Looking at the scientific name of this species, defoliaria, it's not hard to understand what would happen to the trees if parasitic flies and wasps like this didn't help keep the number of caterpillars in check (ie defoliated).
Technically, this shot is a panorama. Since I wasn't able to hold the camera and twig with the caterpillar steady enough, the shot with its head in focus was a bit high and cut of the lowest part of its body. But since I had another shot with that part in frame, I managed to combine the two in Photoshop and end up with a shot of the entire caterpillar.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50638648881/
Doomed by a White Pill - _TNY_6291P2
Do you see that white pill behind the head on this mottled umber (Erannis defoliaria) caterpillar?
That's an egg which I believe came from a parasitic fly (Tachinidae sp.). When it hatches, the fly larvae will begin parasitizing on the host and eventually kill it.
Looking at the scientific name of this species, defoliaria, it's not hard to understand what would happen to the trees if parasitic flies and wasps like this didn't help keep the number of caterpillars in check (ie defoliated).
Technically, this shot is a panorama. Since I wasn't able to hold the camera and twig with the caterpillar steady enough, the shot with its head in focus was a bit high and cut of the lowest part of its body. But since I had another shot with that part in frame, I managed to combine the two in Photoshop and end up with a shot of the entire caterpillar.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50638648881/