Found weird looking cat outside on one of my plants

[texas butterfly]

Found a strange looking cat.

Don't know if cat was getting ready to molt or had been injuried, etc...

One side of cat looked normal, but the other side seemed to have been missing the lines.
Cat didn't look wet or fungus looking or anything.

The back filaments were either missing or dropping.

So, I put took picture of cat and put it back outside where I found it till I can get more info.

Just thought it might have OE or been parasitized, etc...

I'll try to post photo later.

[texas butterfly]

Here is link to sick or injured cat? Or paracite?

More was revealing when I looked at photo. His filaments are really drooping. So, he doesn't feel good.

Cat is darker on top. Cat seemed to be more normal on one side.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39431349@N05/?saved=1

[dandjtaylor]

Texas

That looks like an injury. I have had a few like that, some from other cats biting them, others, maybe a scratch while molting. He may make it, but chances are, he'll succumb in the next molt unless he is a fifth. If he is fifth, he may pupate fine. Doesn't look like OE or other parasite, at least not from what I have seen. Others will have their opinions.

Dwayne

[Wyvern]

It definitely looks like an injury. Whether it's severe enough to hinder it's continual survival or not remains to be seen.

[texas butterfly]

Poor little guy. Nature can be cruel.

He was out in milkweed bush this morning. The hind filaments seemed to be a little taller, but fronts were drooping.

Couldn't find him this afternoon so don't know if he moved somewhere else and I couldn't see him, or if what injured him came back and got him.

I've got another 20 or so in the house. Hope that I have enough milkweed.

[Mona Miller]

A wasp could have made that injury. I put out some cantelope for the butterflies that nectar fruit and also made a butterfly trap to catch some Red Spotted Purples. I'm catching European Hornets. They are not making it out of the trap. A photographer friend sent me pictures of the European Hornets attacking Monarchs and Tiger Swallowtail adults.

[tartandtiny]

I hope the cat survives. I love your photo gallery -- on an off topic, what type of camera do you use to take your photographs. The pictures are incredible

[Pixie]

Texas - you have some wonderful photos - thanks for sharing...........