Thrill-seeking caterpillar

[Lords and Ladies]

I had an interesting afternoon in the garden today. First I saw a song thrush (or perhaps it was a mistle thrush ) on the rooftops of the houses opposite. First time I've seen one near the garden.

Secondly, I spied a bright green caterpillar (approx 1 inch) having a great old time dangling from the washing line on the end of a foot-long length of silk.

My question is, are insects discovering extreme sports and where might this lead?

Any idea what kind of caterpillar it could have been?

[Monkster]

Originally Posted by Lords and Ladies

I Secondly, I spied a bright green caterpillar (approx 1 inch) having a great old time dangling from the washing line on the end of a foot-long length of silk.

My question is, are insects discovering extreme sports and where might this lead?

Any idea what kind of caterpillar it could have been?

I'm wondering in my humble opinion if it is that well known dare devil caterpillar the ' Bungeeus Jumpeeus '?

[nightshade]

I know the caterpillar you mean,they lower themseves on
me when I sit in the arbour seat under the Birch
No idea what it is though

[Lords and Ladies]

Originally Posted by Monkster

I'm wondering in my humble opinion if it is that well known dare devil caterpillar the ' Bungeeus Jumpeeus '?

he he I think you've nailed it!

I'm sure there must be a reason behind this behaviour. Perhaps it is a way to get out of a tree and onto the ground.

I have to say though, I watched this fellow for a good five minutes, and in that time he really didn't achieved much . Dangled for a bit, got bored, then climbed back up the silk to the washing line with a job well-done attitude.

[Paul mabbott]

There are quite a few species that do this.
But I've never been sure why .... it's not as if they're going to break any bones if they fall to the ground and, you would think, they're exposing themselves to predation by birds or other insects while they're suspended (often for quite long periods).
I have, sometimes, thought that maybe this is actually a security measure - so that if they fall off a branch (I don't know why they would want to get back to a washing line ) then they can climb back up rather than having to relocate the tree ....

I've watched them, too, for several minutes and they don't seem to get anywhere ...

Originally Posted by Lords and Ladies

I'm sure there must be a reason behind this behaviour. Perhaps it is a way to get out of a tree and onto the ground.

I have to say though, I watched this fellow for a good five minutes, and in that time he really didn't achieved much . Dangled for a bit, got bored, then climbed back up the silk to the washing line with a job well-done attitude.