Any idea which butterfly species this larvae will become? Photographed in beg of Feb 2006, Wied Anglu.
Do larvae have their own species name different from the adult butterfly ?
A caterpillar that I never saw
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A caterpillar that I never saw
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- Cyan and black caterpillar
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Nice caterpillar 
No idea, but it must be a moth rather than a butterfly.
No organism can have more than one species name (unless of course it is a synonym), therefore the eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adults all have the same scientific name
There are already more than enough scientific names around to keep us permanently confused - the last thing we need is more names for the different stages of the life cycle of an organism
No idea, but it must be a moth rather than a butterfly.
No organism can have more than one species name (unless of course it is a synonym), therefore the eggs, caterpillars, pupae and adults all have the same scientific name
There are already more than enough scientific names around to keep us permanently confused - the last thing we need is more names for the different stages of the life cycle of an organism
Surprise
I am going to surprise you Robocar, but YES some organisms can in a way of speaking have 2 scientific names. This applies to certain fungi which have a name for the sexual state and another species name for the asexual state.
In simple terms: When there is plenty of food, and environmental condition are ideal, fungi reproduce asexually by Conidiaphores since there is no need of extra energy to reproduce sexually for genetic recombinated offspring.
When the environment conditions worsen or are not favourable, they enter into the sexual phase and produce sexual structures (Sporangiophores) where the spores are genetically different from the parents and a better chance that some can withstand the adverse conditions. Also sexually reproduced spores are more resistant than asexual ones (called conidia)
There is a different species name for both states of the same organism. Both living states tend to be morphologically different.
How it happened? Take this example:
Immagine 200-300 years ago when organisms where being named. So assume scientist A in UK used to see the particular organism in the asexual phase and gave it the name AAA aaa.
In Italy. Scientist B was seeing the same organism but in its sexual state (different morphology) and gave it the name BBB bbb. All believed that they were looking at two different organisms.
With progress in Sciance, Biology and Mycology, mycologists discovered in Labs that AAA aaa would revert to BBB bbb under restricted food! So it was the same organism. As far as I know, till now both names apply.
At the moment I lack an example, but maybe there is one in the fungi section. I will post some examples later on.
In simple terms: When there is plenty of food, and environmental condition are ideal, fungi reproduce asexually by Conidiaphores since there is no need of extra energy to reproduce sexually for genetic recombinated offspring.
When the environment conditions worsen or are not favourable, they enter into the sexual phase and produce sexual structures (Sporangiophores) where the spores are genetically different from the parents and a better chance that some can withstand the adverse conditions. Also sexually reproduced spores are more resistant than asexual ones (called conidia)
There is a different species name for both states of the same organism. Both living states tend to be morphologically different.
How it happened? Take this example:
Immagine 200-300 years ago when organisms where being named. So assume scientist A in UK used to see the particular organism in the asexual phase and gave it the name AAA aaa.
In Italy. Scientist B was seeing the same organism but in its sexual state (different morphology) and gave it the name BBB bbb. All believed that they were looking at two different organisms.
With progress in Sciance, Biology and Mycology, mycologists discovered in Labs that AAA aaa would revert to BBB bbb under restricted food! So it was the same organism. As far as I know, till now both names apply.
At the moment I lack an example, but maybe there is one in the fungi section. I will post some examples later on.
In that case you are quite right - and I am sure you know more about fungi than I do (nil) - in fact your post is very interesting.
However such species must have acquired the two names "by mistake", since they were thought to be different species.
Even though both names may still be used (once something gets stuck with a name it is difficult to shrug it off) it should theoratically have one name - assuming that it is confirmed that they are the same organism- this should be the first name that was published validly.
However I am not familiar with the Code of nomenclature of Kingdom fungi.
However such species must have acquired the two names "by mistake", since they were thought to be different species.
Even though both names may still be used (once something gets stuck with a name it is difficult to shrug it off) it should theoratically have one name - assuming that it is confirmed that they are the same organism- this should be the first name that was published validly.
However I am not familiar with the Code of nomenclature of Kingdom fungi.
Aporophyla canescens
Hi Stephen,
The larvae is that of the Noctuidae Aporophyla canescens (moth). It lives on the leaves of Urginea pancration
It is quite a common species, but is found only in virgin garigues like Selmun.
Jonathan
The larvae is that of the Noctuidae Aporophyla canescens (moth). It lives on the leaves of Urginea pancration
It is quite a common species, but is found only in virgin garigues like Selmun.
Jonathan
Thanks for solving the 18months old mystery! I and pine found this at Wied Anglu, on garigue habitat as you said. Maybe this location detail helps you in your studies.
I was quite surprised that it feeds on Uriginea maritima since this plant has tough leaves and I dont know if they are also poisonous like the bulbs. Thanks very much Jonag
I was quite surprised that it feeds on Uriginea maritima since this plant has tough leaves and I dont know if they are also poisonous like the bulbs. Thanks very much Jonag