It was really, really, really cold today so none of the bagworms were moving. So after about 30 minutes of staring at still leaves, I decided to pack up and head back inside. But as I was leaving, I noticed something moving in the wet dirt. It was a pretty big bagworm.
I looked closer to see that it was taking big chunks of sediment and leaves in the sand and pulling them close to his bag. I think he was looking for more materials for his bag. I got great stop motion of his movements. He didn’t seem to be affected by my presence, like I’ve noticed others who react to me. They tend to close up and stop moving when I get too close, but this guy just kept moving. He was the star of the day!
Today I discovered a whole slew of these caterpillars that I see making their own “outfits”. They are crawling over the leaves, doing, what seems like choosing the next pieces for their cocoons.
I FINALLY found a reliable online bug resource! According to bugguide.net , I found that they are called “Bagworms” which, honestly makes my skin crawl by the sound of it. I think they are much cuter than their name!
According to bugguide.net, the mature caterpillars attach themselves to a branch or structure off the ground where they stay for about 4 weeks! When the male emerges from it’s cocoon, it searches for the females. The adult females remain in their bag, releasing a pheromone to attract the males. They mate and lay their eggs without ever leaving the bag. They lay up to 1,000 eggs which overwinter in the bags and hatch out the following summer. (But I think this information is not the same for Florida, due to the typical warm weather).
So this should be fun! I really hope to catch the entire metamorphosis like I did with the Pink-Striped Oakworm Moth last year!
Here is an image I got of one of the worms crawling up our gutter:
Hello! I am a photo major, finally in my fourth and final year at Ringling College of Art + Design. I can’t believe it, less than 4 months and I’m back in the “real world”.
Ok, on to my thesis!
We have the option to do our thesis on whatever we choose. Last semester I did a visual nature journal where I photographed my immediate environmental surroundings outside my apartment. I did so, every single day (Aug – Dec ‘09). And in the end, I created three stop motion video pieces (embedded below). I fell in LOVE with the process and was sad when it was over. The series is titled, “Forty Feet From My Front Door”. My hope was for the imagery to encourage people to discover the uniqueness of their own natural surroundings.
I knew this was something I wanted to do again, so I decided to base my Senior thesis on the same subject! But this time I felt it needed to be more focused on one section of my surroundings, or one creature. Sooo, without further ado here is what I have decided to shoot:
Up next, find out what they are! They are so fascinating! I can tell that they are some type of caterpillar, but I am having the hardest time finding good information about which type.
Please join me on my journey in discovering these fun little creatures!
I am a photographer who spent over 4 years enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the service I was able to travel and photograph real world events immediately following 9/11. After I left the military in 2004 I began attending various colleges across the U.S. This satisfied my need for travel, but in 2006 I finally landed here in Sarasota, Florida.
I am currently in my fourth and final year attending Ringling College of Art + Design. I have a great passion for documentary and commercial work. And of course, all things involving nature!
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