Caterpillar? What caterpillar?
Good morning! I had a most fantastic season in 2011 when it comes to caterpillars. I've always been on the look-out for them, but didn't really have much success. I was thrilled when I ended up with about 10 new species I had never seen before.
Feasting on a willow leaf, this moth caterpillar was one of the most unique I had ever seen, that being a Unicorn caterpillar (Schizura unicornis). You can see the 'unicorn' horn better in the second photo in the comment section.
At first I thought there was a piece of leaf stuck to it, but upon closer examination saw that it was part of it's camouflage effect. Along with it's coloring, that makes him simply awesome, imho. It's amazing how beautifully the cat's coloring matches it's surroundings.
Oh, and the head is the end with the green coloration. Notice how the rear end looks like the head with the protrusions looking like antenna. He moves it around to attract attention away from it's head.
Wishing everyone a fabulous day...abt. 3/4" of snow here last night, but still going to be in the low 40's for the day...=-)
Daisy
Comments and faves
Daisy Mai-ling (4 months ago | reply)
pieceoflace (4 months ago | reply)
Good chilly morning Daisy....and what a great find here. Excellent pics also. Never seen this caterpillar before, and the way it's camouflaged I can understand why. Very difficult to see unless you get lucky in noticing one. You did well to spot this one. I hope you are well and having a truly nice day.
A little light snow here last night...nothing significant.
PS...the pics in the comment section here look just fine. I checked the other ones and they're still distorted. Strange.
alfvet (4 months ago | reply)
Wonderful caterpillar, Daisy, great work !!
This photo was invited and added to the Fantastic Insect "Invite only" group.
Daisy Mai-ling (4 months ago | reply)
Thanks, Lacey. I couldn't believe what I was seeing...I actually tried to remove the 'leaf' thinking it was stuck to him...lol Doin' good today, a bit of snow, but nothing that won't be gone by tomorrow. Thanks for the invite...=-)
Got the 'stretched photo' issue fixed...thanks for ck'ing back.
Thanks, Alfredo...good to hear from you. Hope you are well...=-)
Meredith M! (4 months ago | reply)
Super cool little caterpillar, great find and excellent series. He is definitely well camouflaged, and it took me a couple looks to figure out which end was the head end! I hope you are well, we got a little layer of snow overnight too. I guess winter is having one last gasp.
Meredith M! added this photo to her favorites. (4 months ago)
Paul Hueber (4 months ago | reply)
What a cool looking caterpillar. Nice find and great photos.
Daylily18 (4 months ago | reply)
How very interesting..as always. Hope 2012 brings you many new friends.
Vicki's Nature (4 months ago | reply)
what a great caterpillar!! The two-toned effect really helps camouflage it, plus that extensive tail looks so much like a head. Wonder how the white "V" helps with the camou? I've never seen anything like it.
This photo was invited and added to the Moth Gallery - Vote NOW for Photograph of the Month group.
lonniec61 (4 months ago | reply)
nice find!!!
no snow here for a couple weeks
kenskritters added this photo to his favorites. (4 months ago)
kenskritters (4 months ago | reply)
What an interesting find and great pictures, Daisy! Thanks for sharing all this information.
pieceoflace (4 months ago | reply)
Thank you Daisy, for sharing with the group.
Congratulations !
This truly is a Fantastic Insect Photograph !
Fantastic Insect Photography ( Invite only)
jrix (4 months ago | reply)
An impressive series, Daisy! Once again your keen eye pays off.
Brian D. Tucker (4 months ago | reply)
Wow, an amazingly beautiful and nearly invisible creature. Thanks Daisy!
MO FunGuy (4 months ago | reply)
This IS fantastic Daisy, I can see why you were thrilled to find & foto it !!!
MO FunGuy added this photo to his favorites. (4 months ago)
1959 Fossil (Busy On /Off for a while ) (4 months ago | reply)
Excellent capture
arakel08 (4 months ago | reply)
Congratulations !
This truly is a Fantastic Insect Photograph !
Fantastic Insect Photography ( Invite only)