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Wildlife Spotting

Photo by Aaron_G
Published on Project Noah
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8.60182, -80.1303

Field Notes

Description:

Unidentified caterpillar

Habitat:

Grassy ditch adjacent to a forest

Species ID Suggestions

Dusky Owl-Butterfly

Caligo ilioneus oberon

Reference Link
bayucca
3

Comments (10)
Aaron_G
Sorry, but like I mentioned in an earlier comment, these are the only shots I have. I was doing other work and stopped what I was doing to shoot these, and due to the fact that the caterpillar was not stretched out, I neglected to gain an image of the entire organism. As for the host plant, I have absolutely no idea. One bright point is I have learned my lesson and now shoot as many angles as possible. :-)
EarlyStages
I need a shot of the entire caterpillar to speak with confidence, but based upon configuration of the head capsule and what can be seen of the body, C. illioneus is indeed a very good possibility. What kind of plant was it found on, please?
bayucca
OK, Aaron, you have now 2 options: a) you believe the old and wise or b) you wait for Keith for final ID. If I were you I would prefer b)...
Aaron_G
Unfortunately, these are my only images of this caterpillar. :-( I'm looking back at the 2007 trip photos and am wondering why I didn't shoot more of each subject. It's ridiculous how few angles I have of many organisms.
bayucca
Do you have any other shot from the middle of the caterpillar (even a bad one)?? I would need this one to definitely exclude Caligo telamonius menus, the other possible candidate. http://butterfliesofamerica.com/imagehtmls/Nymphalidae/03-SRNP-18657-DHJ77112_i.htm
Gerardo Aizpuru
Is some kind of dragon caterpillar it may be from the Opsiphanes sp.
RiekoS
Interesting creature. I like your second picture.
Aaron_G
Thanks. This was one hefty cat!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 6, 2013

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