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Caterpillar Strandings (1 Viewer)

ApusApus

Well-known member
A few days ago I came across several of these caterpillars on the wire fence between the Paphos Headland and the Archaeological Site. There were around 15 in total in the space of 200mt, all 4-5cm long and all very much dead!

I have established that they are one of the Lasiocampa species but does anyone have any idea as to what is happening, other than mass suicide?

Thanks Shane
 

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Hi Shane
Several possibilities.
A virus - they seem to have that 'liquidised' look that's typical of infected larvae.
A pesticide - was it next to farmland?
Martin
 
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