Little Monsters - Part 21: Great Green Caterpillars!

Working those abs!

It is one of my favourite caterpillars because it reminds me of the 'Brain Bug' from Starship troopers, with its tiny little head, though it's far more mobile than the alien bug in the movie.

The tiny little legs held before it as though planning for world domination! So monstrously endearing!

When disturbed it will hold fast to the branch and whip its head back and forth, usually enough to deter most insects and even small birds. For larger predators it relies on its colour to hide it as it feeds.

I have posted about the hawkmoth caterpillars but didn't include this particular caterpillar, it will transform itself into a large tree bark camouflaged hawkmoth. It's quite a change from the vibrant green it displays as a caterpillar!

Read more about Hawkmoths in the previous post: Little Monsters Part 17

Originally I had thought the green caterpillar above was a swallowtail butterfly larva, but upon reviewing the images noticed it had a large spike on the back end, a tell-tale sign that it was in fact a hawkmoth!

Swallowtail butterflies are large active butterflies found all over the world and I'm certain that these are the caterpillars that featured in the children's book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar", a fantastic book by the way!
The caterpillars are very colourful, many with large eye spots or highly contrasting body patterns.

Dining on parsely and carrots, plants often disliked by other insects due to their strong taste, while young, they are somewhat limited to the softer parts of the plant.

However, in just 3 days it managed to double in size!

It's also interesting to see how the patterns on the caterpillar change as it grows!

A locamotive that devours its tracks! Full steam ahead!

I had lots of parsely which I rarely use for cooking, so I just leave the caterpillars to grow and develop into their beautiful adult selves. There is a slight or not so slight difference in the patterns of the larva but the above grub will pupate into the black species:

Black Swallowtail Butterfly:

While others will transform into a bright yellow adult.

Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly:

Yes, that is the same patch of cosmos blossoms that is featured in many of my photos, just like on the savanah, it serves as a watering hole for many species. It blossoms throughout the warmer parts of the year from spring well into autumn. In fact it's still going strong!

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Also, if you like macro photography, check out some of the earlier posts in this series.

Little Monsters - Part I: Wolf Spiders
Little Monsters - Part II: Golden Orb Weaver
Little Monsters - Part III: Lynx Spiders!
Little Monsters - Part IV: Decorator Orb Weaver
Little Monsters - Part V: Black Back Paper Wasp
Little Monsters - Part VI: Dragonfly
Little Monsters - Part VII: Indian Fritallary
Little Monsters - Part VIII: Giant Japanese Hornet
Little Monsters - Part IX: Praying Mantis!
Little Monsters - Part X: Harlequin Ladybird!
Little Monsters - Part XI: Dragons!
Little Monsters - Part XII: Snails!
Little Monsters - Part XIII: Evil Weevils!
Little Monsters - Part XIV: Fantastic Phasmids!
Little Monsters - Part XV: To Bee or not to Bee?
Little Monsters - Part 16: Jumping Spiders!
Little Monsters - Part 17: Hawkmoth Caterpillars and Hawkmoths
Little Monsters - Part 18: Evil Doppelgangers - The Ant Mimic Spider
Little Monsters - Part 19: Hummingbird Hawkmoth!
Little Monsters - Part 20: Loud and Proud the Cicada!

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