Eliza Waters

I wrote a post a dozen years ago about a lacewing larva that I found in my yard, which disguises itself by sticking debris on its back as camouflage. It became one of my most visited posts! My curiosity led me down a path of learning that has stayed with me to this day.

When I noticed a strange caterpillar on one of my gloriosa daisies in an arrangement on the counter, I knew that it does a similar thing as the lacewing to improve its chances of survival. This inchworm is called a camouflaged looper (Synchlora aerata) and it sticks bits of flowers and leaves to itself using sticky saliva. Coincidentally, two years ago I posted a photo of the beautiful adult– a wavy-lined emerald moth. (Click the links to visit the posts.)

Mother Nature is always amazing me, I shall never be bored in her company!