Chien C. Lee

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  • A butterfly caterpillar (Cupha erymanthis) standing guard over a clutch of parasitic wasp pupae that recently hatched from its body. Having been impregnated by eggs from a female wasp, the larvae develop within the caterpillar, consuming its flesh as they grow. In order to keep their host alive, the wasp larvae are careful to avoid all vital organs and the caterpillar thus appears and behaves rather normal until the larvae eventually emerge. In a similar vein to the mind-controlled zombie ants, the wasp larvae also secrete some cocktail of hormones that modify the behavior of the caterpillar, in this case it is induced to stand guard and protect the wasp pupae from predators or other parasitic wasps until it eventually dies of starvation. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The hypodermic needle-like bristles on this slug moth caterpillar (Thosea sp., family Limacodidae) are capable of inflicting painful stings, making them an effective defense against would-be predators. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Bagworm (family Psychidae) moth caterpillar. Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.
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  • Bagworm caterpillars (moths of the family Psychidae) are known for their habit of hiding themselves in a portable shelter of plant materials that they secure with silken threads, with each species having its own preference of design. This species begins with small accurately trimmed twigs formed in a 3-sided spiral pyramid, and adds additional larger twigs at the end as the caterpillar grows in size, in a masterful example of miniature craftsmanship. East Kalimantan, Indonesia (Borneo).
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  • Shag-carpet caterpillar (Prothysana sp.). Sumaco Napo-Galeras National Park, Napo, Ecuador.
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  • Bright colors warn potential predators of the painful stinging bristles worn by this slug moth caterpillar (family Limacodidae). Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Moth caterpillar (Synchlora sp.), disguised with plant detritus. Soberanía National Park, Panama.
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  • Although each armed with stinging bristles, a brood of juvenile nettle caterpillars (Limacodidae) enhances their defense by forming a tight grouping. Each caterpillar faces outward, presenting a wall of venomous spines to their enemies. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Unable to fly with a load many times her own weight, a female Thread-waisted Sand Wasp (Ammophila beniniensis) hauls a large caterpillar which she has paralyzed with her sting. She is seeking a burrow she has prepared in advance and, even though it may be a considerable distance away, she shows a remarkable orientation ability even though there may be numerous obstacles in her path. Once placed inside, with the burrow sealed shut by small rocks and its entrance hidden from potential thieves, the ill-fated caterpillar will serve as live food for the single egg the wasp has deposited along with it. Fianarantsoa, Madagascar.
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  • Common Mormon Swallowtail (Papilio polytes). This young butterfly caterpillar avoids predation by appearing unappealingly similar to a bird dropping. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • After several months of feeding on Aristolochia leaves, the mature caterpillar of this large birdwing butterfly (Troides andromache) prepares for its final moult into the pupal stage when metamorphosis will transform it into an adult. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • The enormous caterpillars of the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) consume huge amounts of leaves before they will pupate. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Malayan Lacewing Butterfly (Cethosia hypsea) caterpillars utilize warning coloration to signify to predators that they are unpalatable. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Banded Swallowtail (Papilio demolion), gregarious caterpillars. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Shag-carpet Caterpillar (Prothysana), one of two species that, aside from their curious appearance, exhibit a remarkable form of mimicry. Tiny parasitoid wasps are known for extracting a heavy toll on caterpillars: their larvae devour a caterpillar from inside out, emerging once they are ready to turn into adult wasps and leaving their distinctive white cocoons in the process. At a glance, the white dorsal hairs of Prothsyana look exactly like these wasp cocoons, so much so that the wasps themselves likely avoid laying their eggs in this caterpillar, believing that it has already been eaten. Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.
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  • Seemingly oblivious to its own potential demise, an ornamental moth caterpillar (Rhuda sp.) carries on about its daily business while a tiny parasitoid Chalcidid wasp (Conura sp.) rides piggyback. These wasps are among a multitude of related species which utilize caterpillars (and their pupae) as living hosts for their brood. After depositing its eggs, the wasp’s larvae develop within the caterpillar’s body, carefully consuming its non-vital organs until they are ready to emerge. In this way, the caterpillar will be kept alive just long enough to insure the wasp larvae are able to complete their life cycle. Soberanía National Park, Panama.
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  • This large moth caterpillar (Phyllodes sp.) gives the threatening appearance of a snake head, which may help to ward off potential predators. The eye-spots are patches of color on the body of the caterpillar, with its real head curled beneath. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Elibia dolichus, caterpillar. Although large and seemingly intimidating, this sphinx moth caterpillar is completely harmless and relies entirely on camouflage and eyespots to deter predators. Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Almost looking like it belongs more on a coral reef than in a rainforest, this moth caterpillar (Idonauton cf. apicalis) uses bright aposematic patterns to warn potential predators of its stinging bristles. Caterpillars of this family (Limacodidae) are often called ‘slug moths’ because they lack prolegs and instead move over the surface of a leaf in an oozing-fashion using suckers. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Hooktip moth caterpillar (family Drepanidae). Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo)
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  • This unidentified caterpillar which feeds on epiphytic moss, is camouflaged to look like its preferred substrate. Arfak Mountains, West Papua, Indonesia (New Guinea).
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  • Almost looking like it belongs more on a coral reef than in a rainforest, this moth caterpillar (Idonauton cf. apicalis) uses bright aposematic patterns to warn potential predators of its stinging bristles. Caterpillars of this family (Limacodidae) are often called ‘slug moths’ because they lack prolegs and instead move over the surface of a leaf in an oozing-fashion using suckers. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A slug-moth caterpillar (Phocoderma sp.) with stinging bristles. Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Ants (Crematogaster sp.) tending to a butterfly caterpillar (Spindasis sp.). Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A potter wasp (Omicroides singularis) returns to her nest with a paralyzed caterpillar. Each perfectly crafted urn will be filled with a dozen or so caterpillars before she deposits a single egg and seals the entrance. The developing wasp larvae will feed on the caterpillars before pupating and emerging as an adult. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • These newly hatched caterpillars of the Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) will consume their own eggshell as their first meal. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • Pompelon marginata. This beautifully colored day-flying moth is a member of the Burnet Moth Family (Zygaenidae). It is widespread in Southeast Asia where its caterpillars feed on the leaves of wild cinnamon. Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • This moth (Pingasa ruginaria) escapes the notice of predators by concealing itself against the trunk of a tree where it rests by day. Its caterpillars feed on the leaves of a variety of trees including Litsea, Cinnamomum, and Nephelium. Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo).
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  • A spiny tachinid fly (Eudejeania sp.), the larvae of which are typically parasitoids of caterpillars. Cosanga, Ecuador.
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