Here We Grow Again…

I hope you are not tiring of my caterpillar updates.  This has just been such a fascinating experience for me to watch.
Last Tuesday, I noticed that the caterpillar had created a hammock of silk threads across the valley in the leaf’s center.  It seemed motionless all evening. And its black color was beginning to look more green.  I did not worry because I know the later instars of this species are green. 

By morning, all the black had turned green, and still it rested on its silken bed.

 

It must have molted sometime during the night on Thursday, because on Friday morning, it looked much bigger. This is further evidenced by the discarded mask of the face.  (You can see it below amongst the frass, the scientific name for bug poop.) This is the second time I have found the mask in the bottom of the container.  Perhaps it doesn’t taste good?  No nutritional value?  I’ll have to do some reading to find out if this is typical for caterpillars, or if this is an individual behavior.

More to come.  I’ve got some great close-ups to share with you.