So as you know, I have been a foster home for a number of critters. Some will make it, but other will not for various reasons. Some I will never know why.
If you recall, the Pink-striped Oakworm (Anisota virginiensis) was found at Judy’s house. So I was very thrilled to have a chance to raise one. Most of the observations have been to the east of Wise County and south. Into its protected home it went with red oak leaves and leaf litter for a cozy home to pupate in.
Checking on it each day and it did not seemed to want to eat. In fact, it was getting rather stiff.
At this point, I was sure it was on its last legs. Or as in this pose, legs straight up in the air. 🙁 But something kept me from throwing it unceremoniously out the back door.
Looking down in the jar, I saw what I thought was the dead caterpillar. But wait, what was that next to it?
To my immense surprise, I saw this at the bottom of the jar., the skin/exuvia and a pupa! Furthermore, this definitely meant a closer look, eh!
Top of the exuvia!
The critter had literally crawled out it skin to move to its new pupa home! Finding the exuvia after it had pupated was new for me. Certainly, I will be looking closer through the dirt for others now.
One leg had broken off from the exuvia.
Indeed, this certainly changed my plans for the morning. LOL.
Just to show you, like all the pupae that I have encountered thus far, it still wiggles! Again, this one was no exception! Live on!
Finally in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, an article…
You said when you took it you thought it was about ready to pupate. So happy for you and it that it made it. Cant wait to see the outcome🤗. Nice article on the Otoe-Missouria tribe. Thanks
OMG that’s fantastic! Woo hoo!
You said when you took it you thought it was about ready to pupate. So happy for you and it that it made it. Cant wait to see the outcome🤗. Nice article on the Otoe-Missouria tribe. Thanks
Thanks to you for sharing your cat!
cats are tricky!!
indeed!