Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur

Sitio realizado por aficionados a la observación de aves desde 10 de enero 2006

Geometrid moths - Family Geometridae


Orden Lepidoptera
Family Geometridae
Adult
Most of the adults in this family are nocturnal or crepuscular though some are diurnal. Colours comprise a wide range, being some individuals so showy that they are confused with butterflies. Others, have brown or green colouring blending into the environment.
Geometrid moth
12-01-20 © Guillermo Costa
Geometrid moth
07-06-15 © Sergio Cusano
Geometrid moth
07-06-15 © Sergio Cusano

It could be Zale perigrapha


Predated by
Golden-billed Saltator
17-09-17 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Golden-billed saltator Saltator aurantiirostris
Hepatic Tanager
18-05-13 © Pablo Serur
Hepatic tanager Piranga flava



Caterpillar
Nevertheless, the caterpillars are more known for their funny way of moving due to the arrangement of the legs, or best said the lack of legs. They have legs only on both ends of the body. So, to make a step they grasp with their thoracic legs (forelegs) and move the abdominal legs (front legs) beside the thoracic ones arching their body. Once together, the thoracic legs go loose, the body is straightened and moves forward to grasp again. So it is time to repeat the cycle by moving the abdominal legs near the thoracic ones. In this way they form a looping movement.
Colours are also varied as well to blend into the vegetation or the flowers they feed on.
Another behaviour of these caterpillars is to drop from a branch through a silk thread in case of alarm. They either stay suspended in the air or reach the ground. Once the threaten has passed they go up the thread to their initial position.
Geometrid moth
17-10-13 © Flor A Modeo
Geometrid moth
12-05-13 © Carlos González Ledo

Predated by
Masked Gnatcatcher
21-09-13 © J. Simón Tagtachian
Masked gnatcatcher Polioptila dumicola