Caterpillar search

We have had several days of looking for caterpillars - it is difficult to find them, they hide under leaves and are camouflaged by their colors.

Some caterpillars we found were hairy - these are moth caterpillars. The hairs are used as a method of protection - the hairs are like tiny stingers and make a rash if you touch them.

Other caterpillars were smooth and very camouflaged, distinct characteristics of a butterfly caterpillar. When a caterpillar is found on a leaf it is probable that it is a food source as well as a home.

We did finally find a few - and some eggs, too. When eggs are found it is very exciting, because the scientist can see what the food plant is that the caterpillar larvae eat.

This batch of eggs was collected, along with some of the plant on which it was found. They will keep them until they hatch to determine the species, and make a notation in the research notes. The caterpillar and leaves were collected for the same reasons - to identify the butterfly it will produce.