What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.

Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).

What’s Going On?

What is happening with this (now dead) caterpillar that Karla Salathe photographed in South Sutton, New Hampshire? Bonus question, what type of leaf is it on?

Answer

The caterpillar is covered in wasp pupae. A wasp laid eggs in or on the caterpillar and the larvae developed inside the caterpillar. Usually the caterpillar stays alive throughout the larval stage, assuring a supply of fresh meat. Oh, and the leaf is a grape leaf.

This week’s contest winner was Stephanie Radner