Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar

This is a larva of the giant swallowtail caterpillar resting on the leaf of a citrus tree. Notice the camouflage of the caterpillar. It looks just like bird droppings! This is likely the primary defense of the caterpillar against predators, allowing it to blend into the environment so that it will not be detected. If a predator does find it, as you'll see in the video, the caterpillar can eject a long structure called the osmeterium from a pouch just behind its head. This structure contains stinky, potent chemicals that are waved at the predator in an attempt to convince it that the caterpillar will taste terrible and should be left alone.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• caterpillar
• Lepidoptera
• defensive mechanisms
• anti-predator defenses
• camouflage
• larva
• behavior
• osmeterium

[juaumrlz]

A Wild Caterpie Appeared