Webbing of a Pale Swallowtail caterpillar on Coffeeberry leaf
This is the "cushion of webbing" where a caterpillar of a Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) butterfly has been resting on a leaf of California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica, Rhamnaceae), see this photo for a similar caterpillar on its webbing. It's my impression that the caterpillars make this cushion to have something to hang onto when they are resting. This caterpillar has now left this particular leaf, and moved over a few feet, see this photo taken yesterday. Spiders aren't the only ones, so happy Web Webnesday! (San Marcos Pass, 7 August 2020)
Webbing of a Pale Swallowtail caterpillar on Coffeeberry leaf
This is the "cushion of webbing" where a caterpillar of a Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) butterfly has been resting on a leaf of California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica, Rhamnaceae), see this photo for a similar caterpillar on its webbing. It's my impression that the caterpillars make this cushion to have something to hang onto when they are resting. This caterpillar has now left this particular leaf, and moved over a few feet, see this photo taken yesterday. Spiders aren't the only ones, so happy Web Webnesday! (San Marcos Pass, 7 August 2020)