Caterpillars Count!
@caterpillarscount.bsky.social
Citizen science project on the abundance and phenology of 🐛🐞🦗🐝🦋🕷. Seeking new participating sites! Learn how to participate on our website!
https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu
https://caterpillarscount.unc.edu
Pinned
Excited to be here on bsky!
If you are interested in #phenology #insects #CitizenScience #CommunityScience and #EnvironmentalEducation check out what we're up to (caterpillarscount.unc.edu/news/) and give us a follow!
If you are interested in #phenology #insects #CitizenScience #CommunityScience and #EnvironmentalEducation check out what we're up to (caterpillarscount.unc.edu/news/) and give us a follow!
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
Checking in on Flatty Munchipede, who is halfway through an entire oak leaf 💚
(Isla textula, the crowned slug moth)
(Isla textula, the crowned slug moth)
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Checking in on Flatty Munchipede, who is halfway through an entire oak leaf 💚
(Isla textula, the crowned slug moth)
(Isla textula, the crowned slug moth)
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
Does anyone know why Rhododendron #Leafhoppers seem to line up like this? Makes them look bigger? Using the same leaf vein to feed? Precursor to mating? #Entomology
October 21, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Does anyone know why Rhododendron #Leafhoppers seem to line up like this? Makes them look bigger? Using the same leaf vein to feed? Precursor to mating? #Entomology
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
For #Arachtober, here is a spider that's not a spider. It's Petrophila jaliscalis, a jumping-spider-mimicking moth - see the face-on spider pattern, with orange legs and sparkly dark eyes? I love finding these - I think they breed in my small goldfish pond, because the caterpillars are aquatic. 🌿🐙
October 13, 2025 at 7:24 PM
For #Arachtober, here is a spider that's not a spider. It's Petrophila jaliscalis, a jumping-spider-mimicking moth - see the face-on spider pattern, with orange legs and sparkly dark eyes? I love finding these - I think they breed in my small goldfish pond, because the caterpillars are aquatic. 🌿🐙
Some ento-highlights from the UNC fall BioBlitz today
October 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Some ento-highlights from the UNC fall BioBlitz today
A pirouetting caterpillar is a good way to start the day!
In this case, a balletic banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris)
In this case, a balletic banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris)
October 7, 2025 at 12:28 PM
A pirouetting caterpillar is a good way to start the day!
In this case, a balletic banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris)
In this case, a balletic banded tussock moth (Halysidota tessellaris)
October 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
October 2, 2025 at 2:46 PM
October 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
Also, birds are migrating again tonight. East coast migrants are getting a good tail wind thanks to those hurricanes out over the ocean.
#birds #fall #migration
#LightsOutForBirds
#birds #fall #migration
#LightsOutForBirds
October 1, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Also, birds are migrating again tonight. East coast migrants are getting a good tail wind thanks to those hurricanes out over the ocean.
#birds #fall #migration
#LightsOutForBirds
#birds #fall #migration
#LightsOutForBirds
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
Snoot
September 27, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Snoot
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
The idiom "like a moth to the flame" dates to at least the 12th century, to Persian love poem "Layla and Majnun". Shakespeare references it in "Merchant of Venice."
But here's the thing. Moths DON'T fly to flames. And we're just now understanding that.
Let's talk about dorsal light response.
But here's the thing. Moths DON'T fly to flames. And we're just now understanding that.
Let's talk about dorsal light response.
a picture of a mosquito killer hanging from the ceiling with the caption i can 't help it it 's so beautiful
Alt: a picture of a mosquito killer hanging from the ceiling with the caption i can 't help it it 's so beautiful
media.tenor.com
September 27, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The idiom "like a moth to the flame" dates to at least the 12th century, to Persian love poem "Layla and Majnun". Shakespeare references it in "Merchant of Venice."
But here's the thing. Moths DON'T fly to flames. And we're just now understanding that.
Let's talk about dorsal light response.
But here's the thing. Moths DON'T fly to flames. And we're just now understanding that.
Let's talk about dorsal light response.
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
"After 55 years, the world’s most ambitious caterpillar inventory will come to a close. This monumental project in ACG has reared 870,000 caterpillars, of 8,000 species of butterflies and moths, and 18,000 species of wasp parasites—all documented by a team that grew to 30 local parataxonomists."
Happy to share our latest newsletter! The latest GDFCF and Area de Conservación Guanacaste news is here: mailchi.mp/54601d57a15d...
Greetings from the Late Rainy Season
mailchi.mp
September 26, 2025 at 10:44 AM
"After 55 years, the world’s most ambitious caterpillar inventory will come to a close. This monumental project in ACG has reared 870,000 caterpillars, of 8,000 species of butterflies and moths, and 18,000 species of wasp parasites—all documented by a team that grew to 30 local parataxonomists."
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
A male large tolype #moth (or velleda lappet moth), Tolype velleda, an eastern north american tree leaf feeder (as caterpillar). Adults do not have mouth parts - no feeding, just flying and mating. Note one feathery antenna: high surface area to pick up on female-produced pheromones
September 18, 2025 at 10:14 AM
A male large tolype #moth (or velleda lappet moth), Tolype velleda, an eastern north american tree leaf feeder (as caterpillar). Adults do not have mouth parts - no feeding, just flying and mating. Note one feathery antenna: high surface area to pick up on female-produced pheromones
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
gigantic imperial moth caterpillar I spotted on a hike in the woods last week 😍
September 14, 2025 at 3:56 PM
gigantic imperial moth caterpillar I spotted on a hike in the woods last week 😍
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
the ordeal of trying to find a caterpillar exactly the right size for the vial (for exhibit purposes)
September 12, 2025 at 5:25 PM
the ordeal of trying to find a caterpillar exactly the right size for the vial (for exhibit purposes)
Who let this double-toothed prominent into the house?
Trust me friend, what you are seeking is not in here, but thanks for stopping by!
Trust me friend, what you are seeking is not in here, but thanks for stopping by!
September 12, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Who let this double-toothed prominent into the house?
Trust me friend, what you are seeking is not in here, but thanks for stopping by!
Trust me friend, what you are seeking is not in here, but thanks for stopping by!
Hawks are naturally inquisitive. If there are good questions out there, they will investigate!
September 4, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Hawks are naturally inquisitive. If there are good questions out there, they will investigate!
Wow! How about this amazing contender for Wildlife Photo of the Year.
Invertebrate predator-prey interactions never looked so gorgeous!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Invertebrate predator-prey interactions never looked so gorgeous!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
August 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Wow! How about this amazing contender for Wildlife Photo of the Year.
Invertebrate predator-prey interactions never looked so gorgeous!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Invertebrate predator-prey interactions never looked so gorgeous!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Some fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea) dance to the beat of a different drummer
#IverteFest #insects #phenology #caterpillars
#IverteFest #insects #phenology #caterpillars
August 26, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Some fall webworms (Hyphantria cunea) dance to the beat of a different drummer
#IverteFest #insects #phenology #caterpillars
#IverteFest #insects #phenology #caterpillars
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
What the who the holy wow yikes!
It's a Bedstraw Hawk Moth caterpillar upon which I very nearly trod at the Huron Natural Area in SW Ontario this morning. Nice horn, little dude. Good luck on your transformation!
#macroMonday #MacroPhoto #photography #Lepidoptera #Moth #native #insects #bugs #nature
It's a Bedstraw Hawk Moth caterpillar upon which I very nearly trod at the Huron Natural Area in SW Ontario this morning. Nice horn, little dude. Good luck on your transformation!
#macroMonday #MacroPhoto #photography #Lepidoptera #Moth #native #insects #bugs #nature
August 18, 2025 at 5:37 PM
What the who the holy wow yikes!
It's a Bedstraw Hawk Moth caterpillar upon which I very nearly trod at the Huron Natural Area in SW Ontario this morning. Nice horn, little dude. Good luck on your transformation!
#macroMonday #MacroPhoto #photography #Lepidoptera #Moth #native #insects #bugs #nature
It's a Bedstraw Hawk Moth caterpillar upon which I very nearly trod at the Huron Natural Area in SW Ontario this morning. Nice horn, little dude. Good luck on your transformation!
#macroMonday #MacroPhoto #photography #Lepidoptera #Moth #native #insects #bugs #nature
Poor sphinx moth caterpillar
But parasitoids (Cotesia spp) gotta eat too!
But parasitoids (Cotesia spp) gotta eat too!
August 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Poor sphinx moth caterpillar
But parasitoids (Cotesia spp) gotta eat too!
But parasitoids (Cotesia spp) gotta eat too!
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
And checking in on the children
August 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
And checking in on the children
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
1. It's cool that there are so many new things still to discover about our world (especially insects!)
2. DNA sequencers are all very well, but sometimes you have to break out the real high tech: "The insect was so high up that they had to use a long stick to get it down."
2. DNA sequencers are all very well, but sometimes you have to break out the real high tech: "The insect was so high up that they had to use a long stick to get it down."
A giant stick insect, as long as your forearm, has been described in Australia.
Even in a country as well studied as this, there is still so much to learn. #WildOz
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Even in a country as well studied as this, there is still so much to learn. #WildOz
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Supersized stick insect discovered in high-altitude trees in Australia
The 40cm-long insect, named Acrophylla alta, weighs slightly less than a golf ball and may be the heaviest insect in Australia
www.theguardian.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:44 AM
1. It's cool that there are so many new things still to discover about our world (especially insects!)
2. DNA sequencers are all very well, but sometimes you have to break out the real high tech: "The insect was so high up that they had to use a long stick to get it down."
2. DNA sequencers are all very well, but sometimes you have to break out the real high tech: "The insect was so high up that they had to use a long stick to get it down."
If only life were always so simple as finding Walnut Caterpillar Moth (Datana integerrima) caterpillars on a walnut branch.
#insects #phenology #moths #caterpillars #monitoring
#insects #phenology #moths #caterpillars #monitoring
July 31, 2025 at 2:36 PM
If only life were always so simple as finding Walnut Caterpillar Moth (Datana integerrima) caterpillars on a walnut branch.
#insects #phenology #moths #caterpillars #monitoring
#insects #phenology #moths #caterpillars #monitoring
There’s no cuter and fuzzier a way to start off the week than with “boogie woogie” beech blight aphids!
We estimated at least 1500 on this branch, and could easily be more like 3000!
#insects #monitoring #CitizenScience #phenology
#ShakeItLikeAPolaroidPicture
We estimated at least 1500 on this branch, and could easily be more like 3000!
#insects #monitoring #CitizenScience #phenology
#ShakeItLikeAPolaroidPicture
July 28, 2025 at 3:12 PM
There’s no cuter and fuzzier a way to start off the week than with “boogie woogie” beech blight aphids!
We estimated at least 1500 on this branch, and could easily be more like 3000!
#insects #monitoring #CitizenScience #phenology
#ShakeItLikeAPolaroidPicture
We estimated at least 1500 on this branch, and could easily be more like 3000!
#insects #monitoring #CitizenScience #phenology
#ShakeItLikeAPolaroidPicture