Colorful Cecropia Caterpillar

by Debra Martz

Title

Colorful Cecropia Caterpillar

Artist

Debra Martz

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Colorful Catepillar by Debra Martz
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While on a hike at Devils Tower National Monument I spotted this colorful Cecropia Caterpillar in the Red Badlands landscape along the trail. This Cecropia is in the fifth instar (5th stage of development) and the next will be throwing silk to make its cocoon. The Cecropia Moth is one variety of the giant silk moths.
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More about the trail where I spotted this caterpillar
>>>>>>> Most visitors to the tower make the 1.3 mile easy hike around its base as we did. After finishing that trail we noticed another 3 mile trail, Red Beds Trail, that started from the same place and opted to see what different views it offered. It seems very few take this trail as we only saw 3 individuals along the way. It starts by taking through a Ponderosa pine forest that eventually gives way to meadow and a series of very mild switchbacks leading you down and away from the tower. Further along the trail you completely lose sight of the tower. Soon the meadow grasses suddenly give way to a barren landscape of red clay and sand. The trail loops around these red badlands, eventually leading to the uphill switchbacks and finally the tower is in sight once again.
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©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

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November 14th, 2014

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