It's a Rough Life...

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 2:21 pm

I would imagine that a wasp or maybe some other parasitic insect was responsible for the demise of this caterpillar, long before the cold weather had anything to do with it.

Note the "exit holes" in the caterpillars body in the second image, though they are just visible in the first image if one looks close enough.

Canon G7
Manual mode/macro setting/IS = On
1/60 sec. @ f/4 ISO 100
First image, available light
Second image, onboard flash/second curtain/ 1/3 pwr
"My Colors" neutral
Late afternoon

Mike B in OKlahoma · Post by **Mike B in OKlahoma** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:07 pm

Grotesque, but fascinating! Very good find, and interesting shot.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:18 pm

Yeah this is a couple of pretty "hairy" shots. From the looks of things, there really must have been a party going on inside.

Thanks Mike

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 10:19 pm

Wow -- I haven't seen exit holes that crisp since the last batch of aphid mummies!

--Rik

Charles Krebs · Post by **Charles Krebs** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:04 am

Ken,
You gotta quit hunting those caterpillars with bird-shot!

cactuspic · Post by **cactuspic** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 12:43 pm

Ken what great finds. Fascinating explanation.

Irwin

jmlphoto · Post by **jmlphoto** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:19 pm

looks like a furry little turd. nice find seems like some sort of parasitic insect to me.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:32 pm

Charlie wrote:

You gotta quit hunting those caterpillars with bird-shot!

Well you gott'a make sure they stay still long enough to get a photo but I guess I could put them in the fridge the next time. The neighbors are getting a bit jumpy.

Thanks guys!