Saturday, April 11, 2009

caterpillar, Archduke

This is not other but a caterpillar, I swear, though it does not really look like an ordinary caterpillar.

I have read two posts talking about caterpillar today, I would like to join as the third.

It is the baby of a Common Archduke (Lexias pardalis), a forest-dwelling butterfly of the Nymphalidae family that are common throughout Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Cratoxylon Formosum trees are the host to these caterpillars. They are said to be protected from predators by their long bristles, but I do not actually understand how.

Does it look scary or cute?

10 comments:

Mother Goose said...

That is the most beautiful caterpillar I have ever seen. It looks to be made of a combination of lace and fluff.

The Retired One said...

Wow...looks like a little silk dust mop to me...!
Really nice shots, thanks!!

The Retirement Chronicles

Rick (Ratty) said...

I have never seen a caterpillar like it before. I like it very much. It looks like it can hide very easily with that green color. The butterfly is also very beautiful. Great pictures, and great post.

Sharkbytes (TM) said...

Rainfield, that is drop-dead gorgeous! WOW. You tropical folks seem to have so many amazing critters. Very nice pics too. Well, here in the north, often those caterpillars with pretty looking tufts have some poison in the spikes that can be very irritating. Don't know if that is true of yours.

roentare said...

Seriously incredible looking caterpillar. So fluffy like banksia plants

So lush green too

JeckShen said...

wow nice one!

rainfield61 said...

Hi Mother Goose: Thanks for the early morning visit. Ai first glance, I thought there was a group of caterpillars that lined up nicely. Stupid. Sigh...

The Retired One: silk dust mop? Oh my God!!!

Ratty: I have never as well and struggled to make myself believing it was a caterpillar.

Sharkbytes: I had not have any chance to prove the irritating effect right now. Maybe try out by next visit....

roentarre: You lured me to check for more information on banksia plant in order to understand your description.

JeckShen: Welcome my new friend. MyJourney will take you to everywhere in the Wonderland.

John | English Wilderness said...

The caterpillar looks amazing. There's nothing to match it in the U.K. :-(

rainfield61 said...

John: But you have many cave views in return which I envy for long.

Anonymous said...

These are fantastic photography, Mr. Rainfield! You have a way with the camera..