Camouflage: Mitoura siva chalcosiva third instar caterpillar

This is a Mitoura siva chalcosiva third instar caterpillar camouflaging itself against its host Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma.)

Camouflage: Celastrina ladon echo Third Instar Caterpillar

Many blues that feed on flowering buckwheats camouflage themselves very well against the white or pink blossoms.  This is a spring azure (Celastrina ladon echo) third instar caterpillar feeding on host Eriogonum racemosum.  Other buckwheat-feeding lycaenids that camouflage themselves include Strymon melinus franki, Euphilotes spaldingi, Euphilotes pallescens, and others.

Camouflage: Celastrina ladon echo Fourth Instar Caterpillar

Same spring azure as previous species except the caterpillar is green; camouflaging itself better against its larval host plant, choke cherry (Prunus virginiana).  Photo courtesy Nicky Davis.

Camouflage: Celastrina ladon echo Fourth Instar Caterpillar

Fourth instar Celastrina ladon echo caterpillar camouflaged fairly well against dark pink blooms of buckwheat (Eriogonum racemosum).

Camouflage: Neophasia menapia menapia fifth instar caterpillars

Pine white (Neophasia menapia menapia) caterpillars camoflage themselves so well against pine needles that it is almost impossible to spot them.  Oddly enough, mist spraying conifers will cause pine white caterpillars to bob violently; allowing you to spot them a little more easier.

Camouflage: Neophasia menapia menapia fifth instar caterpillars

Pine white caterpillars oftentimes will make a chrysalis on the pine needle itself. 

Camouflage: Garita skipperling fifth instar on grass

This is a photo of a garita skipperling (Oarisima garita.)  Finding some skipper and satyrid larvae on large grass blades can be somewhat difficult as they blend in well against their background.

Mimicry Giant Swallowtail caterpillar

Some butterfly caterpillars protect themselves by mimicking bird lime.  Since birds are natural enemies to butterflies, there is a certain advantage for a butterfly caterpillar to mimic bird lime.  Afterall, what bird would want to eat its own frass?  This is a photo of a giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) third instar caterpillar on ash (Ruta graveolens). 

Mimicry: Eastern tiger swallowtail on willows

This is a photo of an eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) caterpillar on willows mimicking bird lime.

Mimicry: Becker's White Pupa

This is a chrysalis of Pontia beckeri mimicking bird lime.

Mimicry: Weidemeyer's Admiral on Willows

c_l_echo_skyline_4thinstar1_3_600w.jpg