time lapse of a banded sphinx moth caterpillar (Eumorpha fasciatus) devouring a water primrose leaf
(Florida, 9/18/22)
E. fasciatus caterpillars are heavily polymorphic and come in several different color morphs- those stripy rainbow ones are from the same population as the green one.
another neat thing about these guys is that most caterpillars drown easily, but since water primrose (Ludwigia) usually grows in standing water, E. fasciatus caterpillars have a propensity for swimming and are often seen wriggling their way through lakes when they need to come ashore to pupate.
The Swimmar
