Common crow curl and twirl
The common crow is a butterfly whose native range is South Asia down to here in Australia.
The caterpillar as seen here is distasteful to predators due to chemicals extracted from the latex of some types of food plants consumed.
Of interest are the eight paired fleshy appendages ('tentacles') found on the upper side of the second, third, fifth and eighth segments.
I observed that these retracted in to tight curls, then relaxed and unfurled and I understand that these are sensory organs. Perhaps also playing a role in confusing predators.
8 mm length.
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Common crow curl and twirl
The common crow is a butterfly whose native range is South Asia down to here in Australia.
The caterpillar as seen here is distasteful to predators due to chemicals extracted from the latex of some types of food plants consumed.
Of interest are the eight paired fleshy appendages ('tentacles') found on the upper side of the second, third, fifth and eighth segments.
I observed that these retracted in to tight curls, then relaxed and unfurled and I understand that these are sensory organs. Perhaps also playing a role in confusing predators.
8 mm length.
© All rights reserved.