Freak Of Nature?

July 4, 2009 texdr Leave a comment Go to comments

Okay maybe someone can explain this to me because I honestly don’t know.  Most of our Polydamas caterpillars are a dark, maroon color.  However, we have a couple that are very light colored.  Are these albino, male/female?  I’ve never seen anything documented suggesting what the two different colors represent.

Albino Polydamas?

Albino Polydamas?

Comparison side by side

Polydamas Caterpillars Light And Dark

Polydamas Caterpillars Light And Dark

Categories: Butterflies, Butterfly Gardening In Houston, Polydamas
  1. elizabeth
    July 6, 2009 at 2:44 pm | #1
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    I’m sorry…these don’t have the tail on the wings, which means the color difference is caused by exposure to the sun. Those feeding in the open sunlight are lighter in color while those in dappled light or shade are darker in appearance.

    http://www.dallasbutterflies.com/Butterflies/html/polydamas.html

    • texdr
      July 6, 2009 at 3:31 pm | #2
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      Thanks Elizabeth. That’s a great find!

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