Signs of Spring 2 - a photo on Flickriver

Signs of Spring 2

            First 'Woolly' of the year.

Arctiidae-Tiger Moths. This is a large and diverse family of moths with around 11,000 worldwide species This family includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers), which usually have bright colors, footmen, lichen moths and wasp moths. Many species have 'hairy' caterpillars which are popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. 

A characteristic of the family is a tympanum on the thorax which when vibrated to produce ultrasonic sounds. These sounds are used in mating and for defense against predator. Many species retain distasteful or poisonous chemicals acquired from their host plants. Larvae typically acquire these chemicals which may be passed onto molting adults. In some species adults can also acquire these toxicants by regurgitating on decomposing plants containing the compounds, and sucking up the fluid. Female adults can transfer the toxicants to their eggs, or the males sometimes transfer them to females to help with defense of the eggs.  Some larvae possess urticating or stinging hairs. The insects advertise these defenses with bright coloration, unusual postures, odors, or, in adults, ultrasonic vibrations. Some species mimic other moths that are poisonous, or wasps that sting. The ultrasound signals help nocturnal predators to learn to avoid the moths. Many of the caterpillars and adults are active during the daytime. If disturbed, woolly bear caterpillars will roll into a tight spiral

 Local folklore of the American Northeast holds that that "wooly bears" have the ability to predict the weather, similar to that of the Groundhog. The forthcoming severity of a winter may be indicated by the amount of black on the Isabella tiger moth's caterpillar, the most familiar woolly bear in North America; more brown than black means a fair winter, but more black than brown means a harsh winter.  However, the relative width of the black band varies among instars, not according to weather. The mythical qualities attributed to woolly bears in the American Northeast have led to such things as the Woolly Bear Festival.

Taken on: March 12, 2015

Tags:

Bob's Digital Eye

Canon

Catapilar

FLICKER

Flickr

Nature

Spring

T3i

Wildlife

Woolly Bear Caterpllar

macro

Bob's Digital Eye 2 « less

Sets appears in: • EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM • Wildlife

Groups appears in: • Colors of the World • Photography more » • canon photography • Color and Colors - No computer-generated posts. • Flickr Addicts • Flickritis: over 87,000 waiting for a vaccine. • Flickr Nature - NO B/W, People, Structures etc • Nature Scenes • Nature Photography • Nice pictures • Nature Heals the Soul • Reds • Nature and Photography • Bird and Nature Photography • Beautiful Capture • *Nature* (comment 2) • Fantastic Wildlife • Fav dispenser - Beautiful for us! • National Geographic Wild Life • Everything Minnesota! (Please join!) • LO SCRIGNO / THE COFFER • Canon Digital Photographers (Nature & Wildlife) • Digital Masterpiece • All Animal Close-Ups • Orange Orange Orange Things • Animals looking at You • WILDLIFE & NATURE ONLY ~ No Limits Just Wildlife. • Photographer Universe • Dogs, Puppies, Cats, Birds, Fish, Insects and Frogs. • Canon EOS Rebel T3i (600D) • Canon Rebel T3i / 600D: From Snapshots to Great Shots • Wildlife (Animals) Unlimited • Canon T3i - 600D : OFFICIAL GROUP • flickr (unofficial) • Canon EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS II • Canon Rebel T3i Lovers • Masters of creative photography. NO AI • Images About Almost Anything • Canon Rebel T3i / Canon EOS 600D • Magic of Photography • Artists of AGIN • Worldwide Fauna • Great Nature Shots • Animals Universe • FOTOGRAFÍA PARA TODOS • Today's Flickr • macros of all kinds.macros de todo tipo. • Nature‎ ‎and Animals (Wild Only) « less

Stats: 9,923 views / 6 comments

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: