For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Gaelyn's visit - Part 6 Final

We found this against a wall by the Dinosaur Park. At first I though it was of our monarch butterfly but it is not. A most interesting pupa anyway.

A Tussock moth (Lymantriidae)
Oblique Peacock Moth (Chaismia simplicilinea) is of medium size and feed on Wattle.
I am not 100% on this one but think it is a Grammodes stolida.
This cat is very interesting in that the white stripe glows and is very visable in the dark.
The pupa of an Acraea butterfly.

20 comments:

Diane said...

Joan you must have trained your eyes so well to see all these little creatures. I was good at wild life spotting, but anything this small unless it makes an obvious move I would never notice. Diane

Jo said...

Joan, I love the special pupa, and as Diane says, you are sharpeyed to spot these little creatures. I love the Oblique Peacock moth: reminnds me of a cat I used to have! Blessings and (((hugs))) Jo

Gaelyn said...

We sure saw a lot of bugs.

MadSnapper said...

these are very intersting to me. yesterday hubby was digging in the yard and found one that looks a lot like the last photo. he found it on the ground, we think it got knocked off the bush. it was wigglig like crazy, we did not know what to do with it, so laid it down in a safe place, today it is just laying there so i guess we lost whatever would have come out, we can see the prints on the wings and I hate to lose it.

young-eclectic-encounters said...

I love your blog. I am always delighted with your photos and info.
Johnina :^A

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

You are right Diane, after so many years of looking for them, my eye has become accustomed to picking up the smallest thing.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It has come with time Jo, now nothing much escapes me.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

And there I was thinking I did not take many pictures on the trip Gaelyn. Just goes to show.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Just put it in a place where it stays dry Sandra and it will most likely hatch next summer. The pupa do not move around a lot except when disturbed so dont expect a lot of movement from it.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

It is always wonderful to hear from you Johnina and I am pleased you enjoy my posts.

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

I have never see a pupa with what looke like legs. Very strange indeed.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Lets face it Jonker, so much of what I am finding is strange to me too but at the same time, absolutley fascinating.

Unknown said...

What a set of amazing critter shots! The one on top is unbelievable! Well done, Joan.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Thanks Jose. It was only when I got home I noticed that it was actually emerging. If I had seen it then I would have stayed around to watch it and take more pictures.

Anonymous said...

Good shots of the caterpillars. The first one reminds me of our “Hickory-horned Devils,” though I am not sure what yours may be. That shot of the pupa is an interesting one, reminding me also of a chrysalis. Glow worms are a great find too! I have at least one that is found around here that is about 3 or four inches long at the most.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

Good to hear from you Ken. Thanks for the comment. I still wish I could have more knowledge to know what these things turn into. If I were not on holiday with Gaelyn at the time, I would have brought it home and watched it emerge. There is nothing even close to it in my book.

WOW!! Thats a big one, this was only about 2 inches.

All in all it was a good trip and I managed to find some pretty interesting things. Recently I spent two weeks in the bush again and came up with two very strange matis I am trying to identify. maybe I have found a new species or two? :)

Rambling Woods said...

How I would like to get some photos like this from my yard...next years I must try...

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

I think your garden is going to be stunning next summer Michell with all you have done in it and it is sure to attract many interesting critters.

Becky said...

Poking around in the dark places have brought more good creatures Joan. Sometimes I think Moths are so pretty.
B.

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

The story of my life Becky - always poking around in dark places. LOL!! But is sure is rewarding. :)