Eu fotografei esta colorida lagarta em meu jardim, perto da árvore Plumeria, comumente chamada de Jasmim-manga e Frangipani. As lagartas desta espécie, na verdade são a fase larval da mariposa, apresentam grande capacidade desfoliadora, sendo comumente encontrada atacando plantas da família Apocynaceae. Esta larva possui cores lindas e fortes, imitando uma cobra coral, indicando perigo aos candidatos a predadores. Ao se alimentarem das folhas do Jasmim-manga as larvas ingerem um látex produzido pela árvore que pode intoxicar algum predador que se arrisque a comer a larva.
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Pseudosphinx tetrio adult
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The Tetrio sphinx (Pseudosphinx tetrio) is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It ranges from Brazil in South America to the southern United States. A Tetrio sphinx (Pseudosphinx tetrio) é uma mariposa da família Sphingidae, ordem Lepidóptera, que ocore desde o sul do Brasil até o sul dos Estados Unidos, entre outras regiões de clima tropical e subtropical.
Lagarta caterpillar Tetrio sphinx MOV08133 from Sonia A. Mascaro on Vimeo.
He/she certainly is colorful and looks poisonous.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a caterpillar that colorful before. We have green caterpillars here, but they're a nuisance as they can strip a tree bare of its leaves.
ReplyDeleteOh My! He or She is a GREAT BEAUTY!!! Your pictures are Wonderful! I love seeing those little bulbous legs--AMAZING looking! And I loved the Video, too....Watching this very beautiful creature move along is inspiring.
ReplyDeleteIt is so interesting that these dear creatures eat some of the sticky white stuff---(A Euphorbia Family Trait...) and in this particular case, the Plumaria...!
Very Fascinating.....!
Such a beautiful, vivid caterpillar! Good photos and video. :)
ReplyDeleteThat undulating movement is hypnotic. Well done, Sonia.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating and colourful little fellow this is Sonia!
ReplyDeleteI adore your header too.
Have a lovely weekend!
x
Such a nice specimen!
ReplyDeleteQue cores lindas da lagarta!!
ReplyDeleteAdorei as fotos e o filminho, não conhecia essa lagarta.
Beijos mamis :)
I'm fascinated by his yellow legs. Such a beauty. I'm disappointed in what he grows up to become. Makes me want to hide my wool garments
ReplyDeleteI love your photos of the caterpillar. Amazing about the transformation.
ReplyDeleteHe's a beautiful little fellow.
ReplyDeleteAnd he does look like a coral snake.
So pretty.