A "New" Caterpillar and Three Young Friends
5 August
Found on a rose bush - smart stripes and nice red legs. This is, as far as I can ascertain, a caterpillar of the Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth (Datana ministra). New to me - and rather smart.
When disturbed, these caterpillars raise up both ends of their body, holding onto the plant with only their abdominal prolegs … which is what this fellow is doing. Young larvae feed in clusters and then, when mature, they scatter and feed individually. When in clusters they are one of the web-forming species and we certainly have a few of those in the vicinity.
Yesterday, we observed a nice 21 species of birds in the garden during our daily observing hour from 7-8am, accompanied by good tea. Then, rather less regularly, we did a second hour over luncheon around 1pm and totted a gratifying 23 species that time. Warblers are starting to appear again in recent days … as migratory species, having done the raising of the next generation thing, are beginning to consider drifting southwards, though for most species it will be a few weeks before they actually depart. These included Yellow Warbler, Yellow-rumped, Redstart, Magnolia and Bay-breasted. Later a gang of three Northern Flickers, we are assuming litter mates (?), met for a chat around our bird bath:
That caterpillar looks like it would give one an itch.