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Angry Caterpillar


Angry Caterpillar
Photo Information
Copyright: Vinny Blood (Vinster) Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 25 W: 0 N: 167] (630)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-07-08
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon 400D Digital Rebel XTi, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM, CF Sandisk III 4GB
Exposure: f/20.0, 1/200 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-07-10 7:01
Viewed: 388
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I posted a macro of just the face of this bizarre caterpillar yesterday (click here if you wish to view it). It is a Puss Moth (Cerura vinula), a large member of the Notodontidae - this wider shot shows its defensive behaviour which is described further below. The adult moth is very furry hence the name (you can see a picture of the adult moth submitted by another TN member here).

Some caterpillars bluff their way out of danger by looking fierce - but not this one. Its rear legs have been modified into a forked tail. From the tail, it can extend a pair of whip-like flagellae which it uses to drive off parasitic wasps and flies. It can also squirt formic acid from its head! It is very well camouflaged, and has a brown 'saddle' which helps break up its shape. It feeds on various poplar (Populus) and willow/sallow (Salix) species.

My father found two of these caterpillars on a willow in his garden. I went round to take some shots but it was way too breezy for macro shots outside. The only option was to cut off the stems that the caterpillars were on and bring them indoors. You should never pull a caterpillar off the plant they are on. If they are shedding their skin you will disturb the process and they will more than likely die. In this case the caterpillar is in its final instar, but it has hugely powerful claspers. The force required to remove the caterpillar would damage its soft body tissues.

Once I was set up I took a blade of grass and tickled the caterpillar with it to try and simulate a parasitic fly. It worked as it flicked around angrily and whipped out its flagellae! Once the photo shoot was over I carefully wedged the branches back in the tree so the caterpillars could recover from their ordeal.

Incidentally, the plant they are feeding on is Salix magnifica. This is a native of Western China, and the broad leaves are huge (up to 20cm long). When first discovered by botanists it was initially believed to be a new species of magnolia!

Kind Regards

Vinny www.vincentblood.com
robindb, SelenE, Dillinger, CatherineD, iris, nglen, Gert-Paassen, briddl has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

amazing and scary capture, TFS Ori

Hi Vinny,

Excellent macro with good DOF. That F20 works!

Robin

Hi,
great macro, nice composition. The photo - best quality
regards
Ryszard

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3071 W: 231 N: 5861] (19714)
  • [2008-07-10 9:11]

Hi Vinny,
Superb shot of this amazing looking caterpillar executing its interesting behaviour as you described in your excellent notes.
The pose is absolutely perfect to show off all its parts.
Lighting and focus are spot-on.
TFS. : )

I really enjoyed your note, learning not only about the subject of your photo, but how you interacted with it as well. The colors are brilliant, and the black background brings out the drama and vibrancy of this shot. The only thing I don't like -- and this is very minor, hardly worth mentioning -- is the flash reflection in the middle of the "face" of the caterpillar.

This is a beautiful image! TFS

Randy

Great shot, with a good exposure and perfect DOF. Well done,
Catherine

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1991 W: 5 N: 5557] (20998)
  • [2008-07-10 11:33]

Hi Vinny. Thanks now for showing us the full view of the caterpillar. You picture shows the face ond tail so well with good detai land colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • iris Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 392 W: 41 N: 735] (2314)
  • [2008-07-11 0:56]

Hii Vinny,
This one sure looks like a monster.
I cant imagine this colourful little caterpillar could turn into a white dominant colouired moth.This is amazing.

Great idea to add a link to the the adult moth.I love the melange of colours on the little one and i bet this is one voracious eater.It head and mouth are quite interesting and rivetting.Superb PoV and excellent DoF showing the cpaterpillar in its natural habitat.

TFS & Cheers

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2349 W: 61 N: 3802] (12200)
  • [2008-07-11 1:16]

Hi Vinny,
What a colorful and beautiful caterpillar. Pose you captured is very nice. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Seriously beautiful caterpillar, the colours are amazing, such clarity and definition, a wonderful capture. regards h

Hi Vinny,

This are a great macro shot with an very good pov and dof.
Beautiful olourful pictue.

Gert

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