Wednesday, July 1, 2015

A Mastication of Caterpillars

Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars - Chris Barnhart
We just had written on June 27th about the Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillars, showing their gregarious tendencies, clumping together on a leaf to chow down.  There are lots of special names for groups of animals such as a "murder of crows."   The "official" name for the group of caterpillars is "an army of caterpillars."

Kevin Firth has proposed an ever better name, "a mastication of caterpillars."  If you look at this time-lapse video by Chris Barnhart of tussock moths devouring a milkweed leaf I think you will agree.