White Spikey by TwoPynts
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Description
"Are you trying to make a point?" ~~~~~
Sorry, but none of you guessed "white" as the color of today's caterpillar. Some of you guessed black (draq being the first), but I think you'll agree that black is not the primary color here. Taken indoors with the light from a window, and with a red placemat for a background. No cuddling this specimen either! Any guesses as to what tomorrow's color might be? ----- Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charithonia) Family: Brush-footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) Subfamily: Longwings (Heliconiinae) Identification: Wings long and narrow; black with narrow yellow stripes. Life history: Males patrol for females, and are also attracted to female chrysalids. A male will wait on the chrysalis and mate with the female as she is about to emerge. He then deposits on her abdomen a chemical than repels other males. Eggs are laid in groups of 5-15 on leaf buds or leaves of the host plant; caterpillars feed at night on leaves. Adults roost communally in groups of 25-30 individuals. Flight: All year in South Texas and southern Florida, wanders north during warmer months. Wing span: 2 3/4 - 4 inches (7 - 10.1 cm). Caterpillar hosts: Passion-vines including Passiflora suberosa, P. lutea, and P. affinis. Adult food: Flower nectar and pollen, which are gathered on a set foraging route or "trap-line". Favorite plants include lantana and shepherd's needle. Habitat: Tropical hammocks, moist forests, edges, fields. Range: South America north through Central America, West Indies, and Mexico to South Texas and peninsular Florida. Occasional immigrant north to New Mexico, Nebraska, and South Carolina. -----
Thanks for your pointed comments on my previous upload,
Red Spikey
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Olympus C8080wz & PhotoshopCS. (890)
Boca Raton, FL, USA 2007
Sponsored by: 
Kramer Kreations 
Comments (45)
jocko500
lol bet it will hurt to touch him ...cool shot
alhak
superb macro..purple for tomorrow?
mamabobbijo
Wonderful catch! Green/? BJ
drifterlee
Looks lilac to me.
valere16
Charming small caterpillar.... At least, magnificent photo!
_logo_
This is a striking image. I'm sure you had you patience tested taken it
PeeWee05
Oh i love the background!
Denger
I agree with DELMUR. This baby looks poisonous.
nongo
Would NOT want to step on this one in the dark, or the daylight for that matter!!! Another one that gives me the shivers!!!!! Excellent macro work!!!
Margana
It almost looks like that cootie toy I grew up with...Okay, I'm dating myself. But remember that stupid cootie toy? Wasn't that like the worst freeaking toy ever??? I know you're younger than me but ya gotta know that one....cuz it suuuuuuuuuuuuucked! LOL. Anyway, this is a brilliant capture Kortalouche. It almost doesn't look real! Well done, you! -M :^) PS I'm gettin' punchy. Can't ya tell? ;^P
Punaguy
Man another great shot of this pre-butty...those spikes are awesome~ Aloha~
Campeche
Amazing, i hope be like my pics look this quality!
cameraobscura2
Currently I have about 55 caterpillars in an aquarium getting ready to transform themselves and go into hibernation. I am however just amazed at the variety of caterpillars you have been photographing for your series. It is good to know they are around, as their habitat is getting smaller and smaller and those of us who do not organic garden, kill of beauty without knowing it. Thank you for sharing. egmont
vulcanccit
I guessed wrong, so I will say Purple again! heheh Awesome picture...where are you finding these lovely little dudes? or is it dudeette???
addiek
great shooting... thanks for the knowledge