Category Archives: Caterpillar Blogging

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Living With Cocoonase

Posted on October 28, 2016 by jjneal

Silkworm larvae spin a very tight cocoon, a protective case where pupation occurs. The adult moth emerges inside the cocoon and must then escape. How? Butterflies and moths have long coiled sucking mouthparts, unsuitable for making an exit hole in … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Silk Filters

Posted on September 23, 2016 by jjneal

The silk produced by larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a long thread composed of shorter interlocking strands of silk protein. Silk thread can be disassociated into its protein units, silk nanofibrils. These nanofibrils can be dissolved in solution … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging | 1 Comment

Caterpillar Disease Paralysis

Posted on September 22, 2016 by jjneal

Caterpillars suffering from bacterial infections often stop moving and become lethargic. The paralytic proteins (cytokines) present in caterpillar hemolymph are involved. The same contractile paralysis that is initiated by paralytic proteins can be induced by injecting bacteria into the hemocoel … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment | 1 Comment

Caterpillar Paralytic Proteins

Posted on September 21, 2016 by jjneal

Caterpillars of silkworms and other moths are known to produce peptides (cytokines) that can cause larval paralysis. It is speculated that these peptides may serve as a partial defense against parasitoids. The levels of paralytic peptide that can be isolated … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: What’s Eating New England?

Posted on July 8, 2016 by jjneal

New England is experiencing a gypsy moth outbreak this year. The hungry hordes of caterpillars are munching the leaves of oaks and other deciduous trees leaving a landscape that looks like midwinter in the middle of July. This outbreak is … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment, Invasive Species, News | 1 Comment

Painted Lady Problems

Posted on April 26, 2016 by jjneal

Rearing butterflies can be a compelling educational experience for young biology students. Venders market kits with eggs and artificial diet that can be used to rear a variety of caterpillars including Painted Lady Butterflies. Occasionally, the artificial diet fails. I … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Education, Environment | Leave a comment

Invasive Species Come Together

Posted on March 18, 2016 by jjneal

The cabbage white butterfly, Pieris rapae, is an invasive species that long ago established in North America. Likewise, Garlic Mustard, Alliaria petiolata, is an invasive plant that displaces native North American wild flowers in forests and understory shaded areas. Garlic … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Environment, Invasive Species | Leave a comment