Loopy Caterpillar

[Geoff F]

Not a great amount of insect life around today. Probably because there was patchy cloud after heavy rain and a fresh wind. However this little caterpillar came past doing its strange 'walk'.



Stretch out, then bring your rear end forwards to form a middle body loop, hold your rear end steady and stretch the front end forwards. Repeat many times to move along the ground.

That, of course, meant it was very tricky to find a suitable camera angle and achieve sharp focus. It was moving faster than I could focus my lens and the dark background was causing other issues even when using flash, which was causing rebound issues on the damp soil.

ps. There are many similar looking moth caterpillars but it might be a Dark Marbled Carpet moth, or something along those lines.

[Shadowman]

Nice find anyway.

[Rainforest]

I have tried shooting an "inch worm" once and gave up. You persevered and despite the challenges got a good shot. I do have a hard time with the entire image however due to what looks like doo in the lower right corner. !

[bnnrcn]

Very interesting caterpillar , no legs in the middle part of its body and that's why it walks strangely. Thanks for sharing Geoff

[Geoff F]

Just front and rear legs identifies it as a caterpillar unlike various other forms of larvae; and this configuration helps with the high speed cornering!

Thanks for the replies.

ps. It had been suggested this might be a Winter Moth caterpillar so I am looking into that suggestion.

[RandyRFJP]

Nice image! I see of a few "inch worms" each year, but have yet to get a good photo of one. The ones I see are green in color with what look like black arrowheads spaced along the length of its back. The ones I've seen appear to be much thinner than your specimen.

[Geoff F]

There are as many caterpillars as there are butterfly and moth species which makes identification difficult; particularly as many larvae undergo dramatic changes as they grow so the early stage can be totally unlike the final instar.

Here is another attractive caterpillar from the same day, but at least this one is easy to identify. Lackey Moth.

[JohnRostron]

Nice image. Some caterpillars are easy. Others are not! (This applies to both photography and identification.)

I do have a hard time with the entire image however due to what looks like doo in the lower right corner. !

I think the 'doo' is just a bit of mud. Geoff did say it was wet weather.

John

[Wavelength]

Both are very nice....

[JBW]

now that's exotic

[Geoff F]

Here is another recent shot of a hungry caterpillar; and another of the easy to recognise varieties.



Drinker Moth Caterpillar, which is obvious even with this more artistic camera angle.

[IzzieK]

Uglies that will soon turn to beauties. The first image seems to have suckers for back legs. Interesting specimens you got there..

[JBW]

Here is another recent shot of a hungry caterpillar; and another of the easy to recognise varieties.



Drinker Moth Caterpillar, which is obvious even with this more artistic camera angle.

and ths is why I pay attention when you offer advice.