Today I was out for a bike ride on the streets of Fairbanks when I looked down and saw a caterpillar trying in vain to move across the sidewalk. Not instantly recognizing the species, of course I had to stoop lower to investigate. And take a picture on my camera phone (that turned out to be crappy, of course).
Description: A two and a half to three inch body length of medium build that was black with yellow dots paralleling the middle of the back with red covering face and tail and a spine or horn on the head.
Upon further research on the internet, I have determined that it must have been the larvae of a Phoebus Parnessian. I never did find a photo of the Phoebus larvae, but I did find the photos for other Parnessians and it appears that their appearance can change through the larvae stage, as indicated by this website (search for Apollo).
Another good website that has some different information was www.butterfliesandmoths.com. It doesn't have the Phoebus iether, but it has many Parnessians including the Rocky Mountain variety that is supposed to be as far north as Alaska which is linked above.
I'll have to start taking my camera with me more places as you never know when you'll run into an interesting insect.
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A page to show the random thoughts of a wanderer.
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