Ranging throughout drier climates where thin, spindly branches are the norm, the caterpillar known as the Spiny Bluebelly (waitaminit atsanobug) has balancing flaps that descend from its body to keep the body steady even while crawling on precarious surfaces.
Photo by José Luis Rodríguez, Grand Prize Winner “Adults” in the 2010/11 Wild Wonders of Europe Online Photo Competition. Spotted by Faye.
Even after atsanobug, my mind still kept trying to make it a caterpillar. What a great picture and Mike, as usual, you have morphed it into so much more.
waitaminit atsanobug ???
Made me laugh out loud! ???
😀 And said in this accent: https://youtu.be/TBv3_0j0y_4
Took me a second. My eyes are still slightly confused.
It appears to be melting!
New Mobile Game Coming Soon :-
NoSoAngryBirds
I do believe these are bee eaters! Such pretty little birds…
Funniest post yet. And I would totally have thought it was a caterpillar without the “Latin” name.
Latin comes in many forms: classical, medieval, ecclesiastical, pig, and dog. Mike has added bird Latin to the collection.
I still think it’s a teeny tiny Chinese New Year dragon. Atsanodragon.
Not only did a see a caterpillar for an embarrassingly long time (it was only when I zoomed in on the little feets that I realized something was amiss?) I also read the title as Know Your Unusual Suspects. Too much Casablanca, I think…
It’s okay. I thought it was a caterpillar for a long time, too!
Same here… way too long before I figured it out…
Now the Real Question …
African or European, and are they UnLadend or not ?
I have officially been had. Well done, Mike.
Sad thing is, I’ve seen that picture before and I STILL thought it was a caterpillar for way too long of a time.
I was completely fooled, even after I put my glasses on.
Note to self: make appointment for eye test.
THAT’S NOT FAIR, MIKE!!!! My glasses are not that good… and I thought the “Latin name” was in jest and the “caterpillar” had a legitimate name. Then I saw the little feet while exploring closely the balancing flaps which looked suspiciously like birdie tails… dang it, I have been had but good. What’s worse, I know there is no way I could find a way to pay you back, upir brain is wired soooo differently that it passeth all understanding. I bow to the Master.
Cat,er, pillar? Sounds like an ancient Egyptian obelisk festooned with cat images. What could be better?
OK, I am SOOO glad so many of you also saw a caterpillar for waaay too long a time. I thought I was losing my marbles (although that is a distinct possibility as well).
NTMTOM–you seem to have a strong background in biology or you watch a lot of nature shows! You’re kind of like the internet lovechild of of Gary Larsen, Carl Hiassen (sp?), and Christopher Moore. And I mean that in the best possible way.