Barely born, this caterpillar is ready to play its whips

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Siberian owl does not live only in Russia. It is also found in Korea, China and Indonesia. And it’s not a raptor. So, of course, he lives at night. But it is indeed a butterfly. Brahmaea tancrei, as the scientists say. With some butterfly wings rather imposing with almost psychedelic patterns to perfect its camouflage on the bark of trees.

What’s even more amazing about Brahmaea tancreithe Siberian owl, is its caterpillar. She is very small and mostly looks like a alien monster. With whip-like appendages attached to its thorax and his hindquarters. They expand dramatically and change color during the first minutes of the animal’s life. They are then used to strike predators, flies or parasitoid wasps who would try to approach him.

The caterpillar will become a butterfly

This moth’s funny caterpillar hatches from a perfectly round, pale white egg. An egg she then goes — as many others do species of caterpillars — begin to devour. because it is rich in nutrients.

After a few weeks — between a month and a month and a half — once fully developed, the caterpillar Brahmaea tancrei will lose its appendages. She will bury herself to transform into a dark, but bright-looking nymph. And finally become the expected beautiful moth, either about a month later or almost a whole year after hiding under earth if, depending on the duration of the day and the temperatures, the caterpillar decided to winter.