Entomology ! - சித்தெறும்பு என்ன கடிக்குது !! - Green caterpillar ?!?

Have heard many motivational speakers say about  ‘Metamorphosis’ ~  dramatic ic change in the form and often the habits of an animal during its development after birth or hatching. The transformation of a larva nymph, emergence out of cocoon, caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly  and of a tadpole into an adult frog  !!  - hidden in these stories is the emphasis of transformation from ugly to beautiful – another  perception, ingrained into our minds ! 

சுகன்யாவும் பிரபு தேவாவும் குதித்து அழகாக ஆடி பிரபலமான பாடல்.  படம் வால்டர் வெற்றிவேல் !!

சின்ன ராசாவே சித்தெறும்பு என்ன கடிக்குது

ஒன்னச் சேராமே அடிக்கடி ராத்திரி துடிக்குது

வாங்கின பூவும் பத்தாது;  வீசுற காத்தும் நிக்காது ..  ..

 

எறும்பு கடித்தால் சுருக் என்று இருக்கும் - மரம், செடி, கொடிகளின் அருகில் இருக்கும்போது சுறுக் என வலித்தால், உடனடியாக என்ன ? கடித்தது எது சிற்று எறும்பா ! சிவப்பு எறும்பா ! கட்டெறும்பா!  அல்லது வேறு ஏதாவது பூச்சி இனமா என பார்த்தல் அவசியம்.  இன்று காலை நான் சுறுக்  என வலிக்க பார்த்தால் கையில் சின்ன பச்சை கலர் பூச்சி, சிவப்பு நிற கோலங்கள், உடம்பு நிறைய முட்கள் !!

 

In my terrace garden – this small green insect with red maps,  fell on my hand, it was say, 5 times bigger than the small red ants that we see !! 

Insects are part of the group of animals known as arthropods. Arthropods are animals with exoskeletons, which is a hard outer covering and jointed legs. They are an extremely successful group of animals throughout history and evolution. More than one million different species of insect have been described to date. They are the most abundant group of animals in the world and live in almost every habitat. Insects have lived on earth for more than 350 million years. Entomology is the study of insects.  

The word insect is derived from the Latin word ‘insectum’, meaning “cut into sections.” Insects have permeated human culture since ancient times, evident from depictions of honey bees in cave. Insects play a key role in producing agricultural crops  which  rely on pollinators like bees, flies, wasps, beetles, butterflies, moths and even houseflies. Insect-pollinated plants attract insects with nectar to then carry pollen to other plants and fertilize them to create seeds and fruit.

 

The first insect which comes in one’s mind is butterfly.  Then there are so many !    ~  and its primeval form of ‘Caterpillars’ perceived as ugly and unwanted !

Caterpillars  are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). The origins of the word "caterpillar" date from the early 16th century. They derive from Middle English catirpel, catirpeller, probably an alteration of Old North French catepelose:  Caterpillars of most species eat plant material (often leaves), but not all; some (about 1%) eat insects, and some are even cannibalistic. Some feed on other animal products.  Caterpillars are typically voracious feeders and many of them are among the most serious of agricultural pests.   

The saddleback caterpillar  is the larva of a species of moth native to eastern North America. It is also found in Mexico. It is different in colour with a green back.  The one pictured here is identified by Google images as ‘Spiny Oak Slug (Euclea delphinii)’ 

The larva is flattened and ovoid in outline, with spiny tubercules along the back and sides. These are venomous, producing symptoms in humans that vary from mild itching and burning to more serious reactions that require medical attention. The sides have craters ringed with black or white along them. In the final instar they usually have two to four sets of black hairs at the tail end, that can fall off, called 'caltrop' spines after the Roman defensive weapons. Colourful, but the colours vary enormously !!   

Good Morning.   – welcome to my Photo story – today that of Caterpillar ! never form impressions, perceptions which could well be misconceptions.  Treat all fairly – the colour or looks does not matter –  Butterfly need not emerge from ugly caterpillar, they too can be beautiful !

 
With regards – S Sampathkumar
17.8.2024