Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar
In this shot you can see a Cinnabar Moth caterpillar with its striking black and orange hoops (some say a black and orange striped pyjama) feeding on its host plant, which is Ragwort.
Ragwort however contains poison, but this caterpillar absorbs easily the very bitter tasting toxic substances and stores them in its skin. Becoming inedible in this way, together with the bright colours which act as a warning sign, this caterpillar is seldom eaten by predators.
During its evolution, a peeling proces takes place approximately 5 or 6 times. This is important, because after the peeling, he’s rid of all absorbed poison !
Dutch name : Rups van Sint-Jacobsvlinder (op Jacobskruiskruid)
German name : Raupe von Jakobskrautbär (auf Jakobs-Greiskraut)
Latin name : Tyria jacobaeae
More information on Ragwort, can be found in the picture below.
Gaby Falkenberg 4. Juli 2009, 12:59
Raupe,passend zur gelben Blüte ;.)Wunderschöne Aufnahme,Mark.
LG.Gaby
Fons van Swaal 30. Juni 2009, 16:24
Excellent shot Mark......Only have seen em ones ......
Wish and hoping for an other encounter.....;-))
Greetings,
F.....
Natalja Dralova 28. Juni 2009, 21:56
Oh! I saw, that these caterpillars on yellow colors, them was much.... I shall know now, who they such....Adele D. Oliver 28. Juni 2009, 21:31
An excellent capture of this beautiful caterpillar in his striped pj's .. and the bright yellow ragwort. I admire how you spot these little creatures and know what they are so you can get us all the interesting information from wikipedia!greetings, Adele
Jan Rillich 28. Juni 2009, 21:24
a wonderful summer pictureJan
Deryck 28. Juni 2009, 19:34
This is an interesting version of symbiosis. Great picture depicting the flower and it's predator.Deryck
adriano j faria 28. Juni 2009, 19:27
Very good camouflage!!.........love the ligth and colours!!!good work Mark!!
Adriano.
j.a.j.jansen m. 28. Juni 2009, 19:09
Great colours and details, I love it.Are you a biologist by profession? You know a lot about biology
Regards, Jan.
A. Lötscher -Bergjäger- 28. Juni 2009, 17:18
Fantastisches Bild!!!LG Bergjäger
JeannyL 28. Juni 2009, 13:18
Die Raupe passt wunderbar zur Blume,wunderschön fotografiert Mark
LG Jeanny
† Ushie Farkas 28. Juni 2009, 12:50
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful,Mark ! I love your text, to see your pics is allways a big pleasure! Salut UshieRyszard Basta 28. Juni 2009, 11:50
grossartig die Qualischoen abgelichtet
Josef Kainz 28. Juni 2009, 11:11
Super ein klasse Makrolg. josef
Hans-Reiner Bohn 28. Juni 2009, 11:06
...hopr these lessons will go on and on...Good work, Mark!
g, reiner
Anca Silvia B. 28. Juni 2009, 11:02
Excellent!!!!!LG Anca