As many of you know, we are currently in the process of building a permanent residence in northwest Indiana. Bruce is overseeing the project so we have been spending quite a bit of time on our property this summer. One of my favorite things to do is wander about our acreage in search of beautiful nature/wildlife. I most always tote my camera along, just in case I find something of interest. Below are photographs of a few caterpillars I have been observing and the changes they have been going through.
I found this very young Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar snacking on the leaves of a sassafras tree. The markings and coloration on the caterpillar resembles bird droppings, which helps protect it from hungry predators. I found three of these caterpillars on the same sassafras tree. This one was the largest, the other two were quite small, no bigger than a grain of rice
Here is the same caterpillar two days later. The eyespots have developed and the coloring on the caterpillar has taken on a greenish tinge. Take note of the mat of silk that the caterpillar has spun atop the leaf. I observed all the caterpillars move from their silk resting spots to feed on other leaves. When finished eating, they returned to their silk pads
I checked back a week later to find a plump, bright green caterpillar with light blue spots
Meanwhile, the smallest caterpillar of the three is developing quite nicely
A day later, the largest caterpillar has relocated to a new leaf and found a companion. They nestled side by side for 24 hours, then the smaller of the two moved on
Appearances can be deceiving. The eyespots are false and what looks like a tongue, is the head of the caterpillar.
To my delight, I found three more Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillars on another nearby sassafras tree ~ This one seems to have fared well through the heavy rain storm
Back to the largest caterpillar ~ I woke up in the morning to find that its color had changed from bright green to olive-brown with numerous speckles. The next day it was gone ... my guess is that it moved on to pupate elsewhere
Eventually, the ever-changing caterpillars above will turn into a beauty such as this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly
While walking through an area with an abundance of wildflowers, I noticed this Common Buckeye Caterpillar on the side of a Queen Anne's Lace flower
Twenty minutes later I found it attached to the unopened flower head and arching upward
I returned an hour and a half later to find it curled up in a "J"position preparing to pupate
I checked back the next day, and to my surprise, found that it had turned into a pupa overnight. I was amazed at how fast this happened
I have not noticed any changes over the last several days, though the Queen Anne's Lace stem is slowly wilting
I have my fingers crossed that I will be fortunate to watch it emerge from its chrysalis, dry its wings and flutter across fields of yellow and purple wildflowers ~ Common Buckeye Butterfly
A pretty Viceroy Butterfly delights in wildflower blossoms
The stunning wing pattern of a Common Buckeye
A large Black and Yellow Argiope wraps its prey
An American Painted Lady explores wildflower blooms
A pollen dusted American Hover Fly sits atop golden flowers
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is attracted to the bright purple blossoms of the Tall Ironweed plant
A Hickory Tussock Caterpillar inches along the edge of a leaf
A Great Spangled Fritillary alits upon Butterfly Milkweed
A Calico Pennant Dragonfly perches upon lush green ground cover
A lovely Monarch Butterfly lands in a field of golden flowers
Dew drops on a stray downy feather
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