Monarch Caterpillar "J" Posture
Jan 25, 2013 01:23:19 #
When a Monarch caterpillar is about to pupate, it spins a button of silk onto a twig, attaches itself by its rear feet, and hangs in this classic "J" posture. In 24-hours, this caterpillar will molt for the last time, revealing itself in a new life-stage as a chrysalis.
Photographed at the Fullerton Botanic Garden, Cal State Fullerton.
Hand-held Nikon D5000 at ISO 400, with Nikkor 105G macro lens, 1/200-sec at f/16, open shade & Nikon SB-600 speedlight with O-Flash 3/4-circle Fresnel prism attachment.
Photographed at the Fullerton Botanic Garden, Cal State Fullerton.
Hand-held Nikon D5000 at ISO 400, with Nikkor 105G macro lens, 1/200-sec at f/16, open shade & Nikon SB-600 speedlight with O-Flash 3/4-circle Fresnel prism attachment.
Jan 25, 2013 04:43:40 #
Detail is great in the download. I'm curious about the make-up of the material they use to attach themselves. Is this the same as spider web stuff? Not very scientific-- but you see where I'm going....
Jan 25, 2013 06:56:05 #
Jan 25, 2013 09:01:40 #
Jan 25, 2013 15:07:07 #
LoneRangeFinder wrote:
Most butterfly species spin a bit of silk for chrysalis anchoring purposes, and many moths spin complete silk cocoons to protect & hide their chrysalis. The silk moth family is the most famous, as an entire industry is built around unwinding, retrieving, and weaving their raw silk into cloth and garments.I'm curious about the make-up of the material they use to attach themselves.
Notice that this caterpillar missed placing its feet properly onto the silk button. It is grasping just a few strands of silk on the twig. This became apparent the next day, when I found on the ground, the soft chrysalis and molted skin. While shifting its feet to drop the molted skin, the chrysalis lost grip on the few silk threads.
I looped dental floss to the feet of chrysalis, and hung it in a small butterfly cage, now in my warmer kitchen. We shall see if the chrysalis survives to eclose as a mature butterfly.
Jan 26, 2013 08:36:51 #
Jan 26, 2013 15:13:51 #
very nice shot,can't wait till warmer weather get here so the bugs will come out.Bill
Jan 26, 2013 16:14:53 #
guts wrote:
Where is Burleson, Texas? very nice shot,can't wait till warmer weather get here so the bugs will come out.Bill
Tinusbum is from East Texas and he's still finding bugs....
Jan 26, 2013 16:19:27 #
Jan 26, 2013 16:29:18 #
Jan 26, 2013 16:42:03 #
I think Tom and Martin (f/stop22) put us all to shame in the "looking" department.
Jan 26, 2013 16:44:57 #
steve1oshea wrote:
I purposefully choose my settings to properly capture background exposure, which is ISO 400, 1/200-sec at f/16. I adjust my speedlight illumination source to properly expose my subject at same time.love the background colour
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