Newborn...

This caterpillar has just hatched...and we're about at the limit of usefulness of this digital camera (FujiFilm FinePix 2400 Zoom), as it is almost impossible to focus on the subject at hand instead of on the background. Still, you can see this little guy is having his first meal of eggshell.

To get a better sense of the size of the newborn, here's a big guy alongside, about ready to roam. It looks like there's approximately a 15- to 20-fold difference in length, depending on how stretched out each caterpillar is when you measure it.

A little closer in...remnant of eggshell barely visible behind the baby caterpillar.

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