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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Butterfly Larvae and Pupae > Harvester butterfly larvae (Feniseca tarquinius)
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12-AUG-2013 Christine Hanrahan

Harvester butterfly larvae (Feniseca tarquinius)

There are two larvae (caterpillars) here, of two different instars. The white things on the horizontal branch are woolly aphids being tended by ants. The larvae are predatory on the aphids and are often disguised by hiding under the mass of aphids. The ants are trying to protect the aphids which they tend (rather like we tend cattle) and protect, in order to eat the sweet honeydew the aphids secrete. This is the only butterfly in North America with carnivorous larva!! To see the attractive adults, please look at the next photo.

Canon PowerShot SX20 IS
1/160s f/2.8 at 5.0mm iso80 hide exif
Full EXIF Info
Date/Time12-Aug-2013 12:15:00
MakeCanon
ModelCanon PowerShot SX20 IS
Flash UsedNo
Focal Length5 mm
Exposure Time1/159 sec
Aperturef/2.8
ISO Equivalent80
Exposure Bias
White Balance
Metering Mode
JPEG Quality
Exposure Program
Focus Distance0.150 m

other sizes: small medium original auto
slhoornstra05-Jun-2015 21:37
A fascinating lot to see in this shot. Great work, Christine. Nice to learn something new and you make it easy for us. Thanks!! VVV
Carol Rollins14-Aug-2013 13:51
A fantastic image and amazing information. Thanks so much for sharing. ~
Helen Betts13-Aug-2013 21:26
Another fascinating image and story. Excellent capture, Christine. V.
godro13-Aug-2013 21:12
Nice miniature capture, well done!
Jim Coffman13-Aug-2013 21:10
A very nice capture of the miniature world around us..
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