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caterpillar

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
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6.46815, -74.5642

Field Notes

Description:

about 2", with 3 parasitic eggs on its head, in some sort of defensive posture, see second photo for it in its natural position

Habitat:

tropical rainforest

Notes:

This was one of my first spottings from Rio Claro reserve. As soon as the caterpillar sensed I was near, it raised its head back.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (21)
mcaul6515
Thanks dandoucette! It looks pretty unappetizing to me!
Dan Doucette
Thanks mcaul. I'm not sure, I think it was some kind of defensive posture or perhaps it was trying to mimic something or make itself appear unappetizing.
mcaul6515
Beautiful. Why was it standing up like that? :D
dpoc79
There is a pretty cool video on you tube of parasitized caterpillar from nat geo
Dan Doucette
Thanks tangke, Rieko, martin, Jill and Luis. You're right, martin, they look a lot like the ones on your spotting. I've added that to my notes.
MartinL
Hey Dan, these look like parasitic eggs. You may like to view this spotting of similar ones I noticed last year. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7998042
RiekoS
I thought they were part of it too, but I looked again. I now agree with Sckel and Marta.
RiekoS
This is so nice. I love the series. Thank you so much for sharing.
staccyh
Great photos Dan, as usual!
Dan Doucette
Thanks kel, I think you're right with both! I just thought they were part of it but Marta and kel, it does look like some sort of parasite. I have no idea about them though Marta. Your guess is as good as mine.
The MnMs
Cool! It seems to have some parasites in the eyes area..is that right? I wonder if they are just like lice or whether they will end up doing more harm to the caterpillar..did you find out?
Sckel
I think It wanted to give you a kiss :)
Sckel
has some strange things stuck in it

Spotted for Missions

Mission
The Color Red
Mission
Colombia Wildlife
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World
Mission
2013 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 29, 2013

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