Stick Caterpillar, walks all loopy!

Paul Iddon

I'm not too sure yet what sort of caterpillar this is, maybe a swallowtailed moth, or a lackey moth, or maybe even a nettle-tap moth, but will endeavor to find out.

Might be the latter, seeing as it was close to nettles, but it was actually on top of a ragwort flower when I found it (was looking for subjects for the still-life I did) and as I disturbed it, the caterpillar changed it's stance with a loop in the middle, into a bolt upright little stick. I assume this is a defence mechanism against birds or something, cos if you don't look like a caterpillar and look more like a little stick, the blue tits will leave you alone!

Anyway, here it is, and it's less than inch from end to end, but it does look kinda alien-esque!


Exif:

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 550D
Lens: 105mm
Image Date: 2010-08-30
Focal Length: 105mm
Aperture: f/11.0
Exposure Time: 0.0056 s (1/180)
ISO equiv: 200
Exposure Bias: none
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: Yes (Manual)
Color Space: sRGB
Photographer: Paul Iddon
Copyright: www.pauliddon.co.uk





Paul.

Icebear

DAMN! It looks like that big thing that came out of the asteroid in one of the Star Wars episodes!

Lord Vetinari

Good capture Paul - sometimes find these on one of my fir trees and yes they do freeze when disturbed
Brian V.

Paul Iddon

Thanks gents.

I will still try and find out what it is

Paul.

GOLDENORFE

i almost got a shot of one on monday, but it fell off the stem

Paul Iddon

Phil...

I think it is one of the Pug caterpillars, though which one I can't say..

Paul.