The Wanderer

 

Don't you love this stripey caterpillar?

I found a bunch of them on a cotton bush growing by the local roadside recently.

The caterpillar will eventually turn into the 'wanderer' or 'monarch' butterfly.

 This is what the cotton bush (food source) looks like. Children often play with the seed pods.

So keep your eyes out, you may just see a wanderer fly past.....

 

Cheerio for now,

Sandi x

Wordless Wednesday

Sandi x

A Curious Caterpillar

Look at all those long hairs covering this little caterpillar.

It was quite a sight walking along.
** now identifed as the caterpillar of the  Lichen Moth Cyana meyricki  courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans from the Coffs Harbour Butterfly House.

Sometime later.........
Aha! That's what all those long hairs are for -
 to weave a protective shelter whilst it is pupating.
So neatly built.
What a clever little thing!

Sandi x

**Edited 24th June to add this photo
Photographer Dr David Britton, Australian Museum

This is what the little hairy caterpillar turns into!

Beautiful!