cinnabar-moth-catapillar

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cinnabar-moth-catapillar
Photo Information
Copyright: Robert Brown (Robbrown) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1306 W: 95 N: 2175] (6050)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2004-08-14
Categories: Insects
Camera: SONY DSC F-707, Carl Zeiss 9.7-48.5, Digital ISO 100
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/100 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2004-08-14 19:23
Viewed: 3956
Points: 26
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the caterpillar of the Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae) Both very colourful as a caterpillar with its bright yellow and black stripes, and as the day flying moth it becomes dressed in black and red, these spectacula colours are for a reason, Nature allows this catterpillar to eat a very poisonous plant Called Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)which contain a whole series of powerfull Alkaloid poisons the catterpillar is able to safely store these to protect it's self.It also passes them on to the adult moth, so both adverisethem selves because any thing trying to eat them gets a nasty shock and usuually do not try a second one, so the rest are left alone to reproduce.
There is a problem though with this diet, because it is so poisonous as a plant it can cause fatal liver damage in cattle and horses especially, sheep are not so succeptable.When green the plant is recognised by adult animals but young stock can make a mistake, its worse when dried out in hay when its just eaten and the damage still occurs. other plant foods are Groundsel and Coltsfoot, but are very much seconardy foods whenn the ragwort runs out due to being eaten by the caterpillars.
Emerging in the May from a cocoon in the leaf litter at ground level, they stay on the wing till midd July.Batches of 30 -40 eggs are layed under the food plant leaf during June and July so caterpillars of all sizes can be seen feeding on the same plant often stripping it completely, this leeeds to them being often seen wandering about looking for fresh food.Full grown caterpillars are starting to pupate from the end of july though to the end of August.
The moth it is often mistaken for the Burnet moths but they have distinct red spots not a red stripe.
jurgen, TAZ, japie, carper, gerhardt, milloup, ellis49, Callie, JeanMichel, Annalise, phlr has marked this note useful
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ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
Adjustments to pictureRobbrown 1 08-14 19:29
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Critiques [Translate]

Very nice pic with many details. Also an interesting note. Sometimes it is beleived that by having the insects those colours you mention, the animals can recognize that they are poisonous, but you state it well: one must be tried, then the animal knows.
Very good DOF. It can be seen how the worm has eaten this leaf, also a piece of the other one at its bottom right is missing.

  • Great 
  • TAZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2393 W: 52 N: 3176] (10836)
  • [2004-08-15 1:49]

Good macro of a nice caterpilar ;-) Beautifull colors, good DOF and we can see many details. Well done !

  • Great 
  • japie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1996 W: 107 N: 1897] (5103)
  • [2004-08-15 2:30]

We have these plants here and experience the same problems with livestock, Good capture of the caterpillar - Good DOF and detail

I have taken this caterpillar also,
But you made a good composition of it, great colours, and very good dof, and an exelent note with ith, great job Robbert.

Very nice Macro. The details and colours are crisp and clear. Nice compo with the leaf on the diagonal. Very usefull note. Thanx Robert.

Which one is the front end ;-)) Nice and sharp capture of this colourful caterpillar, good diagonal created by the leaf tipping under the weight. Good colours light and DOF. Good note.

Very good picture with great details.
Very nice color and good composition.
Good DOF and Good note.
Well done

Sharpness is great and I like the "hanging" of the caterpillar in your picture on the beautiful leaf. Nice work done, Robert !

  • Great 
  • Callie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1253 W: 106 N: 2654] (7453)
  • [2004-08-15 14:39]

A nice, colourful sock on the run? A real beaut here, Robert. Like his zebra stripes in yellow and brown.

  • Great 
  • letr Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 87 W: 50 N: 47] (130)
  • [2004-08-15 17:50]

Very good colors and contrast with the bg,like the contrasting colors on the caterpillar.. Excellent job !

  • Great 
  • RAP Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2524 W: 345 N: 2373] (7405)
  • [2004-08-16 6:04]

Perfecta captura de esta oruga Robert.
Muy buen encuadre... permite apreciarlo en su totalidad con todos los detalles.
Excelentes colores y profundidad.
Bien hecho... una vez más.
(puntos mañana)

Perfect capture of this caterpillar Robert.
Very good frame... allows to appreciate it in its totality with all the details.
Excellent colors and depth.
Well done... once more.
(points tomorrow)

The colors really make the shot here. Details come out sharp but soft, due to a good lighting. Framing and placement on a leaf serving as display unit attract the eye. Also a very good picture of what could be considered (falsely) as a trite state of an insect, compared to imagos. Great note!

Beautiful bright coloured caterpillar on the green leave makes for good contrast and a very good picture. Interesting note as well, very well done.

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