|
|
|
The Beauty and the Beast
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
On this pic. you can see a nice larva of the Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera Hübner 1805) feeding on Pelargonium zonale.
The moth used to be a rare immigrant in central Europe, but became a serious pest in the recent decades. Its larvae are known to feed on a wide array of plants including a range of plants cultivated by humans. They are among the most polyphagous and cosmopolitan pests. They should not be confused with the similarly-named related species Helicoverpa zea.
The caterpillar is initially pale green, sometimes with black dots, and a pattern of thin dark lines running along the body, the lines being darker around the second and third segments.
In later instars , the dark lines become less conspicuous, and the black spots develop red areas around them. There is a good deal of variation in colour in this species. Lighter and darker forms of both caterpillars and moths are known, for example, having white instead of black spots on the caterpillars. The caterpillar has posture when disturbed characteristic of a number of species in this family: it lifts its head and curls it under the front of the body. If even more disturbed, it lets go and drops, rolling into a spiral. |
anel, mamcg has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
| Discussions |
| None | | You must be logged in to start a discussion. |
|
![Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 12 W: 0 N: 15]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-s.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1220 W: 0 N: 2155]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(9114)![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 100 W: 4 N: 29]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-s.gif)
(2067)