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Black eyed Camo
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Black eyed Camo

by Lucy VanSwearingen

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted June 13, 2017136 views7 comments
This Camouflage Looper has decorated itself exclusively with black eyed susan petals, stems, and stamens.   I was walking in the yard and saw something strange on top of one of these flowers.  Incredibly, I noticed the strange lump move!   

I realized, that I was watching the very slow movement of a caterpillar, that I'd never seen before.   frown

I did photograph it on the flower itself, but it just looked like a pile of debris on the flower.  I just couldn't find the head, legs or anything looking remotely like a caterpillar.....  So, I, gently moved it to a nearby column of my home to isolate it from the BG.  Finally, I was able to get a real look at it!  So cool laugh

It kept moving, and with the odd lighting, I couldn't get a perfectly focused photo....but, I think I did pretty well with the camera being handheld.

When I finished, I looked up this stranger on the internet.  It feeds on whatever flower it is on and decorates itself with it's "host".  What a fun find!

Comments

7 comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on June 13, 2017 at 11:58 PM
Wow!, Who have guessed that this thing is alive.  What a great B-grade horror critter this would make.  The details of it's camo are wonderful.  I agree totally with "what a fun find!".
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Gavin on June 14, 2017 at 3:18 AM
Great discovery. Never heard of one. AND, very nice photo.
Registered on August 14, 2008, 293 Posts, 1250 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Wolfenden on June 14, 2017 at 10:25 AM
A fun find indeed, Lucy !  Great low perspective and some nice detail.
Registered on May 18, 2007, 1108 Posts, 7647 Comments
Comment posted by Kathy Barnhart on June 14, 2017 at 1:21 PM
Now that's a story, a wonderful unfolding of discovery that we get to make when we look really closely. And I'm glad for the description, because I never could have figured out what this was/is. Great job with all of it.
Registered on November 11, 2011, 404 Posts, 1639 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on June 14, 2017 at 1:38 PM
Never heard of a Camouflage Looper or saw a phot of one before, Lucy. Fascinating insect, and a real fine image of it in its camouflage. 
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on June 15, 2017 at 12:42 PM
This is just so cool, Lucy.  An amazing critter and a great find.  Nicely photographed as well.
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Williams on June 17, 2017 at 1:49 AM
What an awesome critter Lucy. I love the arched inchworm back in total camo gear. 
Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments