FW: [NatureNS] Swimming Caterpillar

Date: Mon, 04 Sep 2006 11:12:07 -0300
From: Jim Wolford <jimwolford@eastlink.ca>
To: NatureNS <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
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I'll guess that your caterpillar was of a SPOTTED TUSSOCK MOTH, Lophocampa
maculata.  This caterpillar has long pencils of white hairs in the black at
both ends, and the yellow middle portion has black spots dorsally.  Might
this fit your swimmer, Paul?  It feeds on alder and willow as favourites but
also eats many other woody species of plants.

Cheers from Jim in Wolfville
----------
From: Paul MacDonald <paulrita2001@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Mon, 04 Sep 2006 06:21:13 -0700 (PDT)
To: Nature NS <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Subject: [NatureNS] Swimming Caterpillar

Hi All
With all the talk of bugs and insects on this group
lately, I'm probably noting them more.
Last evening while BB and I were canoeing, there was a
caterpillar swimming across the river. The river was
prehaps 25 m wide at that point. Black at both ends
and yellow in the middle. Kind of bushy looking. It
seemed to know where it was going and was making good
time. If Billy Bass was nearby, it mightn't be good
news for the caterpillar but it was ok til I left.
There was a good hatch of light grey moths flying low
over the water just at dusk. I haddn't noticed them
other evenings. Also some white moths which frequent
the lily pads. They seem to be there all summer.
Ducks were enjoying the moths and other insects. There
was a brood of 4 mallards with their mom - they were
not mature enough to fly just yet - just growing their
flight feathers. Also a couple of wood ducks - looked
like molting females as they weren't flying too good
either.
The river is down but not many years is it as high as
this year. I was able to paddle in areas which are
usually to dry to paddle at Labor day.
Have a nice summer
Paul


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