The Elephant Hawkmoth & the Vapourer Caterpillars

[wazoologist]

Nice video work! A weird looking animal.

[rosmarinusofficialis]

Thank you for your comment. (S)he has now pupated just under the soil. The vapourer has been released because I reared over 1000 of them earlier.

[zunathanzu]

I find these creatures disgusting. But I'm sure if I ever came across one I'd have to pick it up and hold it for a closer look. The Music and expert Camera work make such small things seem so much more significant than they normally do.

[rosmarinusofficialis]

Don't you marvel at the exquisite patterns on this and other caterpillars? Those false eyes must look really frightening to potential predators. The little hairy fellow might give you a skin rash, but the big one just felt leathery.

[zunathanzu]

Oh they are marvelous, but I perfer them after they have went through a metamorphous

[annie2shoes]

What strange surreal creatures, Rosemarie! Wonderful camera work and you have such a good eye - love the music!

[rosmarinusofficialis]

Thank you, Annie, for your comments which are particularly welcome because you are no mean video maker yourself.

[mommazed]

I m craving a green salad now.....

[rosmarinusofficialis]

You wouldn't overlook this big fellow, at abt. 3 1/2". He was eating willowherb, but now he has gone underground to pupate. Because he was lonely the little fellow has been released back "into the wild". Wild being the operative word because we have been having very strong winds for days now.

[sigma1920]

wonderful closeups & night-view timelapse!

and ur choice of music is nice!

the smaller room-mate is funny. :D

why is it called Vapourer?

does it have toxic hairs or something?

[rosmarinusofficialis]

I could not find out why it is called The Vapourer, perhaps because the larva exudes a toxin. Like all tussock moth larvae it can cause a skin rash when handled by sensitive people. The male caterpillar has 4 yellow "shaving brushes", the female's are brown.

Thanks for watching.