Speaking of critters…

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Speaking of critters…

October 9, 2015 by spixl

When I moved to the new and improved Casita Colibrí two and a half years ago, there was a sorry looking hibiscus in a huge green clay pot (probably from Atzompa) on the balcony. It was obvious the plant had been water deprived for quite some time. I made it my mission to bring it back to life and this year it has rewarded my efforts with a continuous procession of peachy pink flowers.

However, yesterday I noticed it was playing host to a caterpillar having comida.

I looked in the aforementioned, Butterflies and Moths book, but it doesn’t provide many caterpillar stage photos with which to identify this incredibly decorative guy/gal and, after a couple of pages of Google images, I gave up. However, I did learn enough to know those flower-like hairs ringing its body probably sting like nettles, so I’ve kept my distance. Anyone have any ideas as to my fuzzy friend’s identity?

Posted in Animals, Casita Colibrí, Flora | Tagged Casita Colibrí, caterpillar, flowers, garden, hibiscus, Mexico, Oaxaca, photographs, photos | 11 Comments

11 Responses

on October 9, 2015 at 4:59 pm | Reply oaxmyler

Try googling just the image.
- on October 11, 2015 at 8:28 pm | Reply spixl
  
  I’ve tried googling images… still iffy.
on October 9, 2015 at 5:33 pm | Reply Windmills of My Mind

That is one beautiful caterpillar.
- on October 11, 2015 at 8:30 pm | Reply spixl
  
  It’s pretty spectacular and I’m intrigued to know what it will turn into.
on October 9, 2015 at 9:51 pm | Reply loulou113

Shannon, incredible little bugger, I hope it stays with you
and becomes a outrageous butterfly!
on October 9, 2015 at 10:20 pm | Reply loulou113

Shannon, there is a site called imagine.com. It has lots
of pictures of moths & butterfly caterpillars. That fuzzy guy of yours
Is something else! I am fascinated, don’t touch it for sure!
Louise
- on October 11, 2015 at 8:32 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Louise, I have looked and looked, but don’t see anything exactly the same. Of course, the downside is that it is munching away on the leaves of my hibiscus. For now, I’m intrigued and leaving it alone.
on October 10, 2015 at 10:24 am | Reply Marilyn Albright

Is there only one? I can’t remember for sure, but it looks quite similar to the infestation that began destroying your lettuce last year when I was watering.
Though I think this one is snazzier!
- on October 11, 2015 at 8:35 pm | Reply spixl
  
  So far (gracias a Dios) there is only one!
on October 11, 2015 at 12:26 am | Reply jschubertdesigns

I hope you find out what kind of caterpillar it is…… I just spent WAY too much time trying to find it…. no luck. It’s so cool looking with it’s little meadow of yellow flowers on it’s back.
- on October 11, 2015 at 8:37 pm | Reply spixl
  
  Gracias for trying to help! I can’t tell you how much time I have spent trying to identify it. If I find out what it is, there will be a banner headline on my blog. 😉