Hi Everyone! We sure had fun today. On our expedition to the Honey Island Swamp in the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area in Slidell, Louisiana, we first came across this alligator that you see here! I made sure to keep my distance.
Make sure you stay tuned to the blog tomorrow. I will be going deep into the swamp in a kayak, in search of the caterpillar that “wears a coat!” (See the blog: It’s Expedition Time).
Red = Connecticut
Next, we began our hunt for caterpillars. One crawly guy that we found was an inchworm. Did you know that the inchworm is really a caterpillar? Do you know why they crawl the way that they do, displaying a large loop with their bodies as they move about? 
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Well, to solve this mystery, we first have to learn about the caterpillars’ legs. As you know, caterpillars have many legs, but only THREE pairs of “true legs” or thoracic legs (Those that contain joints, like our knees). And, having three pairs of “true legs” means that they have SIX “true legs.”
. . .
Well, to solve this mystery, we first have to learn about the caterpillars’ legs. As you know, caterpillars have many legs, but only THREE pairs of “true legs” or thoracic legs (Those that contain joints, like our knees). And, having three pairs of “true legs” means that they have SIX “true legs.”
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Remember in the Mystery Creature and Nature Hike posts I asked you if a caterpillar was an insect? Well, the answer is . . . YES! Some of you told me that one characteristic of an insect is that it has SIX legs.
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Then, what are those “other legs” that caterpillars have? Well, they are called prolegs or abdominal legs and they are used to propel the caterpillar along his way. But they DO NOT contain true joints. Inchworms, unlike most caterpillars, only have TWO sets of prolegs, so they must loop the center of their bodies to move themselves along. Pretty interesting, don’t you think?!
Then, what are those “other legs” that caterpillars have? Well, they are called prolegs or abdominal legs and they are used to propel the caterpillar along his way. But they DO NOT contain true joints. Inchworms, unlike most caterpillars, only have TWO sets of prolegs, so they must loop the center of their bodies to move themselves along. Pretty interesting, don’t you think?!
Not only do caterpillars have SIX “true legs”, but when they undergo metamorphosis, turning into a butterfly, they retain these SIX “true legs.” Can you find them in this diagram?
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In my search today, I also found this white fuzzy caterpillar. I learned that it is a fall webworm. Check out the silken nest that he built. Sometimes, this nest is confused with that of the eastern tent caterpillar or the gypsy moth. However, eastern tent caterpillars are only present in the spring time.
Make sure you stay tuned to the blog tomorrow. I will be going deep into the swamp in a kayak, in search of the caterpillar that “wears a coat!” (See the blog: It’s Expedition Time).
See you then!
.P.S. Here are some maps to help you to visualize where I am.
Red = Connecticut
Green = Louisiana
8 comments:
Dear mrs.paigereilly,
I figured out that the top catiplillar on your front page is a sattleback.
brigid:)
How Are You Doing?
By:Christian perez-cameron
Mrs.Reilly,
I really liked your picture of the Alligator.What was the first caterpiller born?How many caterpillers have you seen sense you got to Neworleans?How many caterpillers are in the whole world including Countries and states!I hope you have a very good time at Neworleans and i will be emailing you at your website at Blogger.com and i will email you at your website and have a FUN time. Briana
Dear.Mrs.Reilly
How long was the aligtor when you found the creatue and where did you find the living thing was it in woods also do you no what kind of aligator it was and Ihope that your having fun.I cant wait to see you next week.
your freind Kaylee
HI Mrs.Riley did you find any big catapillres if you did can you post it on you're blog
sinserly,luis
DEAR MS.REILLY,
I THOUGHT THE ALLIGATOR WAS COOL HOW HE WAS CLIMBING ON THE TREE,BECAUSE THE TREE LOOKED CURVED.WAS THE ALLIGATOR BIG
WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU FOUND THE ALLIGATOR?WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU SAW THE ALLIGATOR?WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU SAW US THROUGH THE CAMREA?
ALEX
I have been going on your web>It is really cool!!!
see the week after next tuesday in istruments 2:30-3:00pm
from mike
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