Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata)

in #nature7 years ago (edited)

The whole being is in nature, for which life is an endless struggle for survival, to become as noticeable as possible for those who see in it their potential prey. And the more defenseless the object of the desires of ubiquitous predators, the greater wonders of ingenuity it manifests in attempts to merge with the environment.

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The caterpillar of the butterfly Synchlora aerata is no exception: it tries to disguise itself so that some gluttonous bird does not come to mind that before it is a delicious prey. But unlike their less exquisite relatives who pretend to be twigs, pieces of bark or dry leaves, it does it nicely and tastefully.

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The Synchlora aerata caterpillar selects the brightest flowers and decorates their bodies with petals, using liquid silk as an adhesive. When the floral outfit loses its freshness and attractiveness, it dumps it and "puts on" a new one - bright and fragrant.

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The name Geometridae, an adult butterfly, also owes its amazing larva. The caterpillar lacks a few pairs of false legs in the middle of the trunk, and this causes it to move in a special way.

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Fixed with the front (thoracic) legs, she archs the middle part up and pushes the false (abdominal) legs, fastens them and pulls the trunk forward, again clinging to the chest legs. Outwardly, it seems that the larva is measuring the surface along which it creeps.

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Growing up, this bright caterpillar turns into a fragile pale green butterfly with a wingspan of no more than 17 mm and inhabits almost the entire territory of the North American continent.

With the best wishes, @gleb-jeglov aka Evgeny

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