September 7 Midland Streaky Skipper

We're spending a few days in Midland for a family get together with Grandson Zachary and his family from Phoenix.

In between family activities, we took time to visit with the Merritts, cannot come to Midland without seeing them. Joann asked me to photo document her find of Streaky Skipper Caterpillar.


She was collecting seed pods for the butterfly garden at I-20 Preserve when she discovered the tiny caterpillar.

 The Indian Mallow plant rested comfortably in a film canister with plastic wrap to secure and keep the caterpillar from dropping into the water.

The tiny caterpillar had rolled a leaf into a shelter... 

 which we were able to unroll carefully to expose the larva for a photo op...












We were able to compare his size to a dime ...

This photo from a Google search shows the first instar,










I'm anticipating the chrysalis and emerging b'fly pictures.

Brings back memories of Joann successfully protecting Monarchs and other b'flies with net covered crates to document the life cycles of Midland County breeding butters on their 3 acres of paradise through the years.