by Krishna Mohan
Inchworm moth caterpillar
This curious looking caterpillar was found inside Kadri Park in Mangalore when I went for a stroll on Sunday afternoon. Light was terribly bright and I had no flash with me nor any method to shade. This moth caterpillar belongs to family Geometridae. Most probably caterpillar of Dysphania militaris moth. It is called Inch Worm because of its peculiar locomotion pattern. It was acting as though it is bud on top of that twig which it had finished eating. the shrub was full of these caterpillars.
Many Geometrids moths have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hind wings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings.
The name Geometer (earth-measurer) refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack most of the prolegs of other Lepidopteran caterpillars. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment – creating the impression that it is measuring its journey. The caterpillars are accordingly called loopers, spanworms, or inchworms. They tend to be green, grey, or brownish and hide from predators by fading into the background or resembling twigs. Some have humps or filaments (see Filament-bearer image). They are seldom hairy or gregarious. Typically they eat leaves. However, some eat lichen, flowers or pollen. Some, such as the Eupithecia, are even carnivorous.
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Exposure Mode:
Manual exposure
Exposure Time:
1/200 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/5.6
ISO Used:
400
Flash Used:
Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
100.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:06:14 14:13:55
GPS Location in Google Map:
12° 53' 18.1" N, 74° 51' 23.7" E, 669 m.a.s.l.
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
Tags: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, Canon EOS 5D mark II, caterpillar, Dysphania militaris, Geometrid moth caterpillar, Inchworm moth, Insect, Mangalore, moth
Posted in Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Comments (1)
by Krishna Mohan
Oleander Hawk-Moth
Daphnis nerii or Oleander Hawk-moth is a member of the Sphingidae family, whose members are commonly known as the hummingbird, sphinx or hawk moths. This beautiful and attractive species has a wingspan of 8-12 cm. Its forewings are intricately patterned in gorgeous shades of olive green and marked with small blotches of pink and white, including a pale white apical band on each forewing. The hindwings, on the other hand, are greyish green, with a pale white wavy line. Body is mostly olive green too, with white markings and measures about 5 cm from head to tail.
Oleander Hawk-Moth Side Profile
I found this fine specimen at the yesterday evening. moth was quite friendly and did not get alarmed by my photography. I had a opportunity to try macro panorama on this which I will post in the next blog post.
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Exposure Mode:
Manual exposure
Exposure Time:
1/160 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/13.0
ISO Used:
100
Flash Used:
Flash fired, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
100.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:07:02 20:54:53
GPS Location in Google Map:
13° 4' 2.1" N, 74° 59' 44.4" E, 634 m.a.s.l.
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
EXIF info…
Camera:
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens:
EF100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Exposure Mode:
Manual exposure
Exposure Time:
1/200 sec.
Exposure Bias:
0.0
Aperture (F Stop):
f/8.0
ISO Used:
100
Flash Used:
Flash fired, compulsory flash mode.
White Balance:
As Shot
Focal Length:
100.0 mm
Metering Mode:
Pattern
Date Time:
2009:07:02 23:41:32
GPS Location in Google Map:
13° 4' 2.1" N, 74° 59' 44.4" E, 634 m.a.s.l.
Copyright ©
Krishna Mohan
All rights Reserved. This Image may not be copied, reproduced, distributed, republished, downloaded, displayed, posted or trasmitted in any forms or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying & recording without my written permission. If you’d like to make usage request, just ask: drkrishi@drkrishi.com
Tags: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro, Canon EOS 5D mark II, Canon MT-24EX macro twin light flash, Daphnis nerii, Deilephila nerii, insec, Insect, Moodabidri, moth, Oleander Hawk-moth
Posted in Nature, Photography, Wildlife | Comments (11)
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