I See Where You Get Your Good Looks
The other day I spotted these ornate caterpillars while I was weeding the garden.
Two Common Buckeye larva.
Close-up of the larger caterpillar.
I was able to find out that they are the larvae of the Common Buckeye, which seems apt, because I have seen a greater number of those than usual this year. They can’t survive freezing temperatures, and they must have benefited from our mild winter. Here is one that I saw back on January 18 — maybe a parent of these two beautiful caterpillars!
Common Buckeye butterfly, Junonia coenia.
Close-up of the wing scales.
Not all caterpillars are as gorgeous as they will be in butterfly form — many of the larva in the skipper family are nondescript smooth green blobs, and Giant Swallowtail larva look like bird droppings. But this is one case where both stages are equally intricate and interesting.
Close ups are always so interesting!
I am always amazed at the complexity in creatures I can’t even see without technological help! 🙂
Again, I’ve seen some of those and that butterfly, but didn’t know their names. Hmm, boy I need to go buy new books!! Sometimes you can readily find information on internet also…
The trouble with internet information is that it doesn’t know when to quit! You can put in a search term like “Giant Swallowtail butterfly” and pictures of cows and Janet Jackson turn up. And then a lot of times I don’t even know what term to search for. I am happiest with my books that focus on the Houston region, at least they give me a starting place. 🙂
Yes, I found that all too true with the internet. You just can’t replace a good book. So I’ll be looking for books in our area!