# Happy Wednesday Fellow Uloggers & Steemian Family!

## How is everyone Being today? How are things going in your world? I am sending high vibes and loving hugs to all whom are open to receiving <333

## I noticed these little guys on one of the gaggles of Birch Trees here in @thereikiforest the other day.....

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmTMMhDkjtuez6TGYxZbxbMuhQpeSBnNa2GLh1vV7Bo3UL

## Before then, I don't recall seeing such tiny caterpillars ever before, so I decided to look up caterpillars that eat birch leaves, and here is what I found out:

# These little ravenous beasts are called Dusky Birch Sawflies; aka *Croesus latitarsus*

## They are commonly mistaken to be *Lepidopteran* or butterflies and moth caterpillars, although they are actually *Hymenopteran* (of the bees & wasp family, considered to be an 'ancient branch'). The good news is, apparently they don't sting. Right on! After they get their bellies full, they fall off the tree, pupate in the soil and get their wings. Pretty Cool.

## They typically feed in clusters.

## When they feel threatened they curl their tail end up over their heads.

## Apparently they are not considered to be harmful to healthy trees.

https://ipfs.busy.org/ipfs/QmXuFsABsktE3djVXfrHf22WTqVYmTkLvig1rnG1xXsaVM

# I think they are pretty cute. What do you think? Have you ever seen them before?

## Thank you for stopping through @thereikiforest. I hope you injoyed my original photography and if you learned something new, as I have, cheers!!!

# As Always ~Thank You for BEING YOU! Bright Blessings!