Creating Model Caterpillars

Hello everyone! I want to show you the model caterpillars that I will be using throughout my experiment. These models are made from plasticine, which is non-hardening and non-toxic modeling clay. The malleability of the clay allows the preservation of bite and beak marks from potential predators. All models are formed by hand and measured using calipers. It is quite fun creating all these model caterpillars! As you can see, they are threaded longitudinally with brown floral wire and the wire will wrap around the stems of Virginia Creeper, affixing the models securely to the host plant. Through preliminary studies, I have found that the clay models are durable in outside conditions, including rain and heat.

 

An example of my 4 treatments: green w/splotches, solid green, red w/splotches, & solid red

 

All models measure 35 mm x 6 mm