#KnowledgeBomb - Pyrrhopyge papius Caterpillar

Jan 13

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @JenSquard

I’m not going to lie, this has to be my favorite species of caterpillar. At least top five. When I was doing my research in Ecuador (best time ever), this is the little bugger I chose to write my main paper on. And here is why: they are GORGEOUS.

After studying them a bit, I totally realized I had made a great choice. These little bundles of adorable aren’t only super pretty to look at, but they have some sweet survival skills that warrant some props.

Here is a picture of a baby. Like, baby baby. Caterpillars go through five instars, or stages, before metamorphosis. Aren’t they cute as babies? They aren’t the tiniest things ever, but pretty small, less than an inch long. They have big hard helmet heads, and super bright orange bands going around their deep maroon bodies. Those super long white hairs are a defense against biters like birds and bigger bugs. Bright colors and strange appendages in the jungle generally equal toxic (unless you are a sneaky copy cat, which totally happens).

Here’s the thing that blows my mind: that awesome color is thought to be directly related to the latex that flows through the leaves of the plant it eats, Vismia. The latex is dark maroon or orange, depending on the plant, and that is the plant’s defense - obviously ineffective against this tough little nugget. But I’m pretty sure it does make these little dudes toxic to predators.

One of the most awesomesauce things about them is the way they shelter themselves. Caterpillars have a bunch of different ways of hiding and sheltering themselves, and this dood builds himself a little hut. He eats away a part of a leaf, flips it over, and glues it down on top of him. Perfect hiding place!

They get pretty big as they go through their life stages, and I would guess (this is totally from memory) that they are about 4 inches when they pupate. OMG, pupating! Yes! That is when the caterpillar gets all weird, and their body turns into that strange chrysalis thing. Usually it is ugly - like a dull brown to blend in - but not this guy! He stays fabulous even when going through one of the most strenuous and taxing changes that occur in the animal planet. Look at that color! Um, so yeah, they become far less spectacular as grown-ups, which is usually the case. The most gorgeous caterpillars often make the ugliest moths. So enjoy, these are all photos I took while I was falling in love with them!