The Translucent Terror of Leaves, Pt. 3 - _TNY_5655
This sawfly larvae, along with a whole bunch of its brothers and sisters, were hanging out on the leaves of some flowers - and absolutely shredding them. Most of the leaves were just reduced to the veins and not much else!
I believe the species to be Euura melanocephalus and if you look really closely at the black head, you can see the reflection of not only the flash diffuser, but also of my finger holding the leaf while taking the shot.
I've been thinking about the weird S-shape these guys like to take up. I find various mention of it being a defensive position, but I can't for the life of me figure out what would be scary about it for a bird or other predator. Perhaps it's a way to imitate the empty veins of the leaf after the larvae have eaten them clean?
If you look closely at the neck of this one, there is evidence of a threat which the possible camouflage didn't ward off. I think that white thing pointing out is an egg that some other insect has laid there and will hatch as some sort of parasite on this larvae.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51607823909/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52431862325/
The Translucent Terror of Leaves, Pt. 3 - _TNY_5655
This sawfly larvae, along with a whole bunch of its brothers and sisters, were hanging out on the leaves of some flowers - and absolutely shredding them. Most of the leaves were just reduced to the veins and not much else!
I believe the species to be Euura melanocephalus and if you look really closely at the black head, you can see the reflection of not only the flash diffuser, but also of my finger holding the leaf while taking the shot.
I've been thinking about the weird S-shape these guys like to take up. I find various mention of it being a defensive position, but I can't for the life of me figure out what would be scary about it for a bird or other predator. Perhaps it's a way to imitate the empty veins of the leaf after the larvae have eaten them clean?
If you look closely at the neck of this one, there is evidence of a threat which the possible camouflage didn't ward off. I think that white thing pointing out is an egg that some other insect has laid there and will hatch as some sort of parasite on this larvae.
Part 1 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51607823909/
Part 2 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/52431862325/