Graduation Suit, Pt. 4 - _TNY_5159

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/

 

Part 3 here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/53449606925/

 

All three of those were with the Canon EF100mm f/2.8L IS Macro lens, but after snapping those, I shifted to the Canon MP-E65mm lens instead and found other subjects and only came back to this one about 60 shots later and got a couple at a higher magnification (this is 3.3:1).

 

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.

Done