Doing my level best to fit in with Terri’s chosen theme, this gorgeous caterpillar’s urticating setae have a distinctly orangish/tawny tone, depending upon how the sunlight hits them. Both the thoracic and abdominal segments along its trunk are a pure ebony tone.
This is a lovely time of year to explore the boardwalk trail at Pelee; the number of visitors (read: noise and busyness) is much lower now that school has resumed and, in the more tranquil atmosphere, the wildlife show out beautifully. That’s where I captured this beautiful caterpillar.
Smartweed Caterpillars (Acronicta oblinita) will, next spring, mature into Smeared Dagger Moths. Now that the temperatures are cooler, they will begin spinning their tough, silk cocoons, cleverly weaving bits of the surrounding dead leaves and even their own hair into the silk to camouflage themselves perfectly against the ground. Their metabolism slows significantly, allowing them to safely freeze solidly, and survive under the snow and ice all winter long, emerging as moths in May or June. It truly is one of nature’s greatest magic tricks! Isn’t it mind-blowing, to think that creatures so tiny can essentially turn themselves into wee, frozen, “statues” during the winter, completely shut down their bodies, and then simply “wake up” and fly away when the spring sun warms the boardwalk?
Important Safety Warning: If you, your kiddos, or grands spot one of these beauties, please don’t handle them. Smartweed Caterpillars have what scientists call “urticating” (stinging) hairs which can cause a painful, burning sensation, redness, and rash, often with small blisters. Please just admire their stunning patterns without making contact.
So, two of my friends have now taken to calling me “Bug Lady” but it is a title I’m owning with absolute pride. I’m choosing to believe it just means I’m the one actually noticing the magic everyone else is walking right past.
The Boardwalk Dagger
A jewel upon the crimson leaf,
Beside the sun-warmed wooden rail,
She crawls in silence, bright and brief,
Along the marshy Pelee trail.
With carets stitched in brilliant gold,
And tawny crownlets on her spine,
A tiny tapestry unrolled,
Of intricate and wild design.
Let others walk and never see
The velvet patterns in the brush,
Or miss the hidden alchemy
That stirs within the autumn hush.
So let them tease, and let them smile,
And dub me “Bug Lady” in jest—
For I alone paused for a while
To watch the daggers on her vest.
And on my journal page tonight,
Her golden chevrons will remain,
Before she takes her final flight,
A quiet queen of Pelee’s plain.
Thanks to Terri for another Sunday Stills prompt. I strongly encourage you to visit her post which is much more elaborate and comprehensive and her photographs are stunning. It’ll be the best part of your Sunday viewing, promise:
Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Colors of Lava and Black
’Til next time, y’all…
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