Saddleback Spikey by TwoPynts
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Description
"Don't you know it isn't polite to point?" ~~~~~
Not a very clear photo, but this tiny little critter moved faster than it's awkward appearance belies, so it was hard to get him all in focus. It is so odd looking I just had to include it in my Spikey series. I've only come across this kind of caterpillar once and haven't seen another since. ----- Saddleback Caterpillar Moth(Acharia stimulea) SIZE: 1 inch (25 mm) COLOR: Purplish-brown body with a purplish saddle shape on its green back. DESCRIPTION: The saddleback caterpillar is about an inch long, and has poisonous spines on four large projections (tubercles) and many smaller ones that stick out from the sides of its body. The "saddle" consists of an oval purplish-brown spot in the middle of a green patch on the back. Saddleback caterpillars feed on the leaves of basswood, chestnut, cherry, plum, oak, and other trees and shrubs. It is seen more often than the moth it becomes. HABITAT: The saddleback caterpillar is a general feeder and is generally found on shade trees and ornamental shrubs in late summer. LIFE CYCLE: Adults tend to take flight in mid-summer. TYPE OF DAMAGE: The poisonous hairs or spins are hollow and connected to underlying poison glands. Contact with them causes a burning sensation and inflammation that can be as painful as a bee sting. The irritation can last for a day or two and may be accompanied by nausea during the first few hours. Usually the site of contact reddens and swells much like a bee sting. CONTROL: A person "stung" by a poisonous caterpillar should immediately wash the affected area to remove any insect hairs and poison that remain. An ice pack will help reduce swelling, and creams and lotions containing steroids will lessen the discomfort and promote healing. Persons known to be sensitive to insect stings should consult a physician. Stinging caterpillars rarely occur in sufficient numbers to be considered plant pests, but people who work with ornamental plants should learn to recognize them and avoid touching them. -----
Thanks again for your fuzzy comments on my last upload,
Grey Spikey
-----
Olympus C8080wz & PhotoshopCS. (892)
Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2007.
Sponsored by: Kramer Kreations
Comments (46)
rainbows
My life, Kort.. Did you paint it on!! An incredible creature and capture. Never seen the likes of this in my life.. Hope they never make it to Sleepy Bay!! Scary stuff ;-(( Diane.
BibbyBear
I'm with Di on this one Kort - what on earth!!! I've never seen anything like the sorts of caterpillars you've shown us, but this one tops the bunch!! Really weird yet a really great capture. xx
bpclarke
Excellent details. I've never seen a caterpillar like this. Excellent capture. Bunny
Zorg1955
Once again Kort ! That's incredible but I believe you ....It lives on Earth ! Excellent !
sharky_
LOL...Which was is front? Interesting capture. Excellent. Aloha
awjay
you feed it a leaf thats the way to tell lol
mark.spooner
Excellent subject and capture, personally I would have gone for a little deeper DOF if circumstances allowed but still a great image.
babuci
Most facsinating shot of a strange c'pillar!
goodoleboy
You gotta be kidding! This is a real spikey? Looks like something you purchase at Toys R Us! Fantastic looking tubercles, to say the least. Anyway, although unbelievable, it's a wonderful photo, but with your Hubble Telescope lenses, you could have gotten in much closer to the little guy.
MrsLubner
incredible! this is a unique and opportune shot!
visionart
Facsinating Capture!!
jocko500
I not going to touch it. wow what a find here
Littlejock
This unreal bug look like a Joke.. Super curious pic and thank you to share
stuart83
Very unusual looking captiillar, never seen one like this either, thanks for the info, very informative & interesting Stuart
mamabobbijo
Is he coming or going? Very interesting. BJ
chrispoole
I agree with all the others, what a fascinating creature and a superb find and capture, hard to believe it's real.
jif3d
Probably moving fast to get out of the sunlight, as that leaf looks like it's flipped over...freaky beast, not too many cowboy bugs would want to ride this one ...OUCH ! well done. ~Cheers~ :o)
odie
Never seen anything like this and I used to collect them as a kid!. This one seems to be wearing a cape as camo!
npauling
Now that's spikey but boy is he cute. Looks as though he has put on his best jacket to get photographed. Great find and photo.
featherwitch
Looks like something you'd run into deep sea diving! Pretty cool! Nice find! :)
Leeco
I haven't come across one of these yet but it is not because I haven't been looking, lol and even tho I haven't actually seen one in life, I do know this one is heading away from us. I can tell by looking at the feet. The front ones look like long talons and the rear ones look like sucker cups. I have found several different species of caterpillars this spring and will attest to the difficulty of getting one completely in focus. Most are pretty fast (as noted by TwoPynts) and even if they stop for a brief moment, the various hairs and spikes continue to move. I think you did a great job of getting this shot. Most all caterpillars are pretty fascinating and this is certainly among the most easily identified. BTW - I really appreciate and enjoy the info you provide with these images. Thanks for sharing. Lee
RobyHermida
Very nice!!!! Roby ;O)
DELMUR
Never seen brfore! Splendid.looks like a toy!(not a sex toy,naturally)JP
jared99
OK - this is one seriously funky looking critter. Excellent job on a difficult but cool subject.
nongo
I'm completely sure this is some sort of alien!!!!!!!! Weirdest looking caterpillar I've ever seen!!!!! LOL @ Delmur!!!!!!!!
prionbrain
Really awesome!!! I've never seen anything like this one!!!
NekhbetSun
Deadly but so fascinating Kort....'nother excellent shot !
oscilis
This is the funniest caterpillar I have ever seen. What a shame it stings. There are caterpillars here that, if their hair lands on a washing line, you get covered in a rash when you put the dry clothes on! Horrible!!
elmurray
I've never seen anything like it in my life!! Looks like it's got it's winter coat on! Incredible shot, Kort. Keep 'em coming. *****
acquilon
what fantastic animal it is! bravissimo