This little cecropia larva has just completed his first molt and he seems to be resting before setting about munching on more tasty leaves. His color has changed dramatically from black to yellow/orange and he is now about half an inch long.

In another week, he will molt again and his color will change to a jade-like green and the tubercles (the spiny things) on his body will change to red/orange, blue and yellow and become more pronounced.

You can see his old skin setting next to him like a wadded up sock. Many times they will eat a portion of their old skin before hitting the leaves. The protein is too vital for such a rapidly-changing critter to waste!