Earlier today, I was spreading more mulch on the pathways when I spied a caterpillar on some plant trays. Knowing it was probably pretty cold (our temperature was near freezing overnight), I had a thought to move the poor thing in a warmer spot. Son laughed at me for trying to warm a caterpillar but he is just as kindhearted. We sat and watched the critter for a bit not thinking much about what we were doing by helping the critter. After a few photographs and a long discussion, the sun had shifted a bit so I returned the tray to its original spot and the caterpillar was promptly forgotten.
Later, I got to thinking about that critter and even went back to look at the pictures. Yep, I had just warmed up a tent caterpillar. You know, one of those critters who, with the help of about a bajillion other tent caterpillars, make the huge webs in trees. Yep, THOSE tent caterpillars! I pondered where his buddies were and what tree was going to be an unsightly mess once the web was made.
Actually, the critters do eventually turn into moths and they do not hurt the trees other than leaving behind some munched leaves. (The leaves regrow after the caterpillars leave.) I figure that the critter has a right to live so I have no qualms about leaving it be. Live and let live. All creatures, great and small....
No comments:
Post a Comment