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!
They are ubiquitous in my neighborhood!! They cover entire branches of sidewalk oak trees. I rarely see the adults but they are gorgeous in both forms!
December 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
They are ubiquitous in my neighborhood!! They cover entire branches of sidewalk oak trees. I rarely see the adults but they are gorgeous in both forms!
What a terrific year for #insectmonitoring with Caterpillars Count!
Which sites and users conducted the most surveys, found the most caterpillars, found the largest caterpillar?
Check out our 2025 Site Awards here
mailchi.mp/432f840dbbd6...
Which sites and users conducted the most surveys, found the most caterpillars, found the largest caterpillar?
Check out our 2025 Site Awards here
mailchi.mp/432f840dbbd6...
December 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
What a terrific year for #insectmonitoring with Caterpillars Count!
Which sites and users conducted the most surveys, found the most caterpillars, found the largest caterpillar?
Check out our 2025 Site Awards here
mailchi.mp/432f840dbbd6...
Which sites and users conducted the most surveys, found the most caterpillars, found the largest caterpillar?
Check out our 2025 Site Awards here
mailchi.mp/432f840dbbd6...
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
Here is your Monday Moth. I think this pretty little insect is Portentomorpha xanthialis. They're found from the southern U.S. down into S. America; this one was in Colombia. #bugsky 🐙🌿
December 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Here is your Monday Moth. I think this pretty little insect is Portentomorpha xanthialis. They're found from the southern U.S. down into S. America; this one was in Colombia. #bugsky 🐙🌿
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
This monkey slug caterpillar (Phobetron sp.) from Ecuador has evolved to look like a discarded tarantula molt. This one mimics the tarantula Avicularia juruensis (see my previous post) so accurately, down to the pink toes and yellow bands! The hairs cause skin irritation, just like Avicularia hairs.
December 16, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This monkey slug caterpillar (Phobetron sp.) from Ecuador has evolved to look like a discarded tarantula molt. This one mimics the tarantula Avicularia juruensis (see my previous post) so accurately, down to the pink toes and yellow bands! The hairs cause skin irritation, just like Avicularia hairs.
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
New study on arthropod declines @natecoevo.nature.com 🪲
In two time series @jena-experiment.bsky.social & @bexplo.bsky.social we show how community (dis)assembly underpins local biomass declines.
It mostly boils down to species loss, with identity losing relevance.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In two time series @jena-experiment.bsky.social & @bexplo.bsky.social we show how community (dis)assembly underpins local biomass declines.
It mostly boils down to species loss, with identity losing relevance.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
December 2, 2025 at 10:44 AM
New study on arthropod declines @natecoevo.nature.com 🪲
In two time series @jena-experiment.bsky.social & @bexplo.bsky.social we show how community (dis)assembly underpins local biomass declines.
It mostly boils down to species loss, with identity losing relevance.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
In two time series @jena-experiment.bsky.social & @bexplo.bsky.social we show how community (dis)assembly underpins local biomass declines.
It mostly boils down to species loss, with identity losing relevance.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Caterpillars Count!
New study confirms that short wavelength light (UV & blue) attracts the most nocturnal insects & that intensity increases attraction for all colours. Longer wavelength & lower intensity outdoor lights should reduce biodiversity impacts resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #teammoth 🌍
November 26, 2025 at 2:08 PM
New study confirms that short wavelength light (UV & blue) attracts the most nocturnal insects & that intensity increases attraction for all colours. Longer wavelength & lower intensity outdoor lights should reduce biodiversity impacts resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #teammoth 🌍
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