8/26/2008

Letting Go

Two days ago, I released the caterpillar that had hatched from an egg here. No pictures, because I haven't been able to find the camera.

I was thinking of him (or her) on the tree, tasting fresh leaves and being able to climb and climb. I was hoping she (or he) wouldn't get eaten by a bird - but I think those spikes hold predators off! It's hard to let go - but I knew it was the best thing.

Then last night, it started raining. It made me wonder: where do caterpillars go when it rains? Do they climb in, close to the tree trunk? What if they get knocked off by some raindrops - how do they know to go to the trunk and climb up?

This morning, it's raining and raining and raining, the remnants from Tropical Storm Fay, getting scattered up the coast. I'm so worried! I know it's silly - they go from egg to caterpillar to butterfly all the time, all without me.

Where do they go when it rains?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I found this:

"By a very remarkable exception, the harsh season marked by inactivity and lethargic repose in other insects is for him the season of bustle and labour, on condition, of course, that the inclemencies of the weather do not exceed certain limits. If the north wind blow too violently, so that it is like to sweep the flock away; if the cold be too piercing, so that there is a risk of freezing to death; if it snow, or rain, or if the mist thicken into an icy drizzle, the caterpillars prudently stay at home, sheltering under their weatherproof tent."

It's part of an essay titled "The Life of a Caterpillar" written by J. Henri Fabre in 1916. It's actually quite an interesting read . . .