Caterpillar - Intentional or accidental camouflage?

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. 31st March 2011.

I have perhaps over-sharpened the caterpillar a tad to pull it out from the background. In "real life" it was quite difficult to spot and I wondered if this could be intentional?

There were several of this species on the same stony surface - which in itself (the stony surface) I thought a bit odd as caterpillars are mostly just interested in eating and the only thing to eat was lichen. However as you can see there is plenty of it.

Comments and help with identification appreciated as always:



Bruce

[GuyF]

Hi Bruce,

This is a Marbled Beauty - Cryphia domestica , and as you've seen this species feeds on lichens growing on stones or buildings (and also trees). I expect that the camouflage is intentional, it certainly looks like it would blend in well on a lichen covered rock, and the colouration is quite similar to some larvae of the Footman moths which are also lichen feeders.
Excellent shot as always!

Guy

[Bruce Williams]

Guy - Thanks for your help and comments - really much appreciated. Oh, and very pleased to read that they are lichen eaters - helps make sense of things.

Bruce