Graduation suit, Pt. 3 - _TNY_5094
As caterpillars grow, they need to change skin as the skin doesn't grow. Most species also change appearance between these stages, sometimes just a little and sometimes completely.
This is what I believe to be the final instar of the knot grass moth (Acronicta rumicis) and if you compare it to the preceeding instar stage here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50462526148/ the relation is obvious - but they still don't look the same.
Part 1 is a three-exposure focus stack for some added depth of field here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51854623773/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51933501459/
I have also found and photographed a very very young one, second or possibly first instar stage which looked like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51633796219/ - not exactly identical, but it still has the same chevron on the head as the older ones.
Graduation suit, Pt. 3 - _TNY_5094
As caterpillars grow, they need to change skin as the skin doesn't grow. Most species also change appearance between these stages, sometimes just a little and sometimes completely.
This is what I believe to be the final instar of the knot grass moth (Acronicta rumicis) and if you compare it to the preceeding instar stage here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/50462526148/ the relation is obvious - but they still don't look the same.
Part 1 is a three-exposure focus stack for some added depth of field here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51854623773/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51933501459/
I have also found and photographed a very very young one, second or possibly first instar stage which looked like this: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51633796219/ - not exactly identical, but it still has the same chevron on the head as the older ones.