From looper to literary camouflage

in nature •  7 years ago 

I was at work the other day when I thought that something had damaged one of the collectable books. As in "Oh Dear! There goes the expensive edition of Shakespeare's First Folio"
first folio.jpg

A closer look showed it to be one of the Geometrid family of moths, a beauty that is extremely well camouflaged on tree bark.

moth.jpg

This family usually start life as one of the looper or inchworm types of caterpillars that are also masters of camouflage which gleefully eat their way through many plants. I kept wondering what was doing all the damage to my stapeliad on the windowsill until I finally caught sight of this little menace, also one of the inchworms.

looper.jpg

All the little white marks on the orbea stem are from being chewed on.

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What a bookworm!

Well spotted, this little moth does camouflage well on your prized book.
The shot I took the other day on the plague of caterpillars I have, within 3 days decimated all of my lillies back to the ground the little blighters.

As they do. They have prodigous appetites, the little swines

That was curious. Nice photos. I like this with the moth. It has really very good camouflage and beauty decoration. Thanks.

I must be sleepy or something because that last photo I was convinced was a chameleon.

Sounds like it's pumpkin time for you!

Oh my goodness. Looking at the last picture made me feel itchy and gave me the shivers, I feel like I need to brush something off my leg hahaha

Hate it when its something tiny and creepy, hard to keep an eye on and get rid of

Its an educated moth, with a taste for Shakespear.

I do hope the book is not ruined by this beautiful moth. Books are one of my favorite treasures. 🐓🐓