Things That Will Get Wings!

One of the more "uncommon" finds I had was a Splendid Dagger Moth Caterpillar. It was well camouflaged on a young oak sapling at Pinery Provincial Park. 

Whoever first discovered this species wasn't very creative in the naming process. - "Striped Garden Moth Caterpillar". Found on Queen Anne's Lace in the Canatara meadow.

These Willow Sawfly larvae will not be turning into a moth or butterfly, but a type of wasp. Sawfly larva have 3 pairs of true legs plus 7 or 8 pairs of false legs. Caterpillars have 5 or fewer false legs.The adult female cuts into plants with her "saw-like" ovipositor to lay eggs.

Another member of the sawfly family is this Dogwood Sawfly larva. The powdery white appearance represents the middle instar. It has a very different appearance from the instars before and after this stage.

I just missed watching this Black Swallowtail emerge from its skin with completely different colouring. You can see the old skin lying beside it. I also didn't witness the disappearance of the skin, but am pretty sure the caterpillar ate it, so as to take advantage of all available energy!