JCMegabyte's video: Butterfly Caterpillar Prepares for Metamorphosis Time Lapse 6 V20944

This series of sequences would normally have appeared on the JcmdiStockFootage channel, but it was interesting and educational enough to rate placement on the this main channel. This is a Gulf Fritillary butterfly (Agraulis vanillae incarnata) caterpillar preparing for the next phase of its life cycle - the pupal phase, where it will transform itself into an adult butterfly. The first scene shows the caterpillar selecting a site in which to pupate. Next, it spins a small mound of silk (AKA a button) on which to attach itself. The silk fibers are carefully woven and attached to the twig to provide a secure mounting spot where the caterpillar will spend the next few weeks. Once the button is finished, the caterpillar turns around to rest for a while (30-60 minutes is typical). This resting period may also allow the silk to properly "dry" or otherwise harden. Then, the caterpillar moves forward slowly, feeling around with its tail end for the silk button. On the caterpillar's tail is a surface called a "cremaster", which functions like the "hook" side of a velcro-like fastening system. The caterpillar can apparently detect the silk button as the cremaster hooks make contact and stick to the loop-like silk strands of the button - again similar to the velcro system. Once good contact is made, the caterpillar grinds its tail end into the silk, making a secure connection. The caterpillar then begins to relax and release its grip on the twig, eventually falling free of its hold except the cremaster. It will remain suspended by it tail in this way until it transforms into a pupa after a 1-2 days. More of this process to come... A free rearing documentary of this butterfly's life cycle can be found on the JCMDI website here: http://lepidoptera.jcmdi.com/b/nym/incarnata/incarnatap.html These scenes were shot with a Sony FS700RH in 1080p HD Macro (displayed in this demo reel at full HD) in time lapse at 1 frame per second, resulting in a 30x faster than real time speed-up. Contains JCMDI video catalog : V20676,V20677,V20678,V20679, Generic description: This is a collection of full-length clips in lowered resolution for YouTube upload, providing content audition and evaluation. The actual resolution, clip-specific details and original raw files are available for licensed commercial use and download at JCMDI.COM in the Stock Footage section. Please refer to the catalog numbers listed above when searching for these clips at the site. Many other 4k, 2k, 1080p, 720p, and 480p (SD) format clips of time lapse, slow motion, clouds, sky, stars, jet trails, moon, hummingbirds, and nature stock footage are available at http://jcmdi.com/stockfootage/index.html The soundtrack is "Dark Harbor (Space Trance Mix)" from the "Mission Control" CD by Technician (yours truly), MP3 album and single track available on iTunes at: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mission-control/id970180801 full artist discography and CDs available at HTTP://technician.jcmdi.com Note: The audio and video material contained herein is copyright 2016 JCM Digital Imaging, however, you may download this footage directly from YouTube and use it free of charge in your own non-profit/non-commercial YouTube videos, school projects, etc. The full free usage policy and YouTube copyright notice/ad info can be found here (please read before using JCMDI material): http://jcmdi.com/stockfootage/faq.html http://jcmdi.com/stockfootage/faq.html