This female Buckmoth (Hemileuca maia) rests after mating, while strange movements in her abdomen appear to "stir" things. It's not clear what's happening but it's sure weird! Much more butterfly/moth video, photography and life cycle studies available free to the public at HTTP://jcmdi.com
It does look like some worm-like thing has crawled in there but it's actually her normal internal workings. All the ones I looked at had the same undulating movements. Each one mated, laid her eggs normally. I have never dissected one to see for sure though. :-)
I have a feeling that is a nematode worm parasite.
mantispid1 3 years ago
It does look like some worm-like thing has crawled in there but it's actually her normal internal workings. All the ones I looked at had the same undulating movements. Each one mated, laid her eggs normally. I have never dissected one to see for sure though. :-)
jcmegabyte 3 years ago
So, is that normal?
ClassicRockFan1220 4 years ago
Apparently it is. I just happened to have the lighting just right to notice it.
jcmegabyte 4 years ago