Defensive Strategy - Pandora Sphinx (Eumorpha pandorus) larva R208 Skunk's Misery, ON PFN

Pandora Sphinx (Eumorpha pandorus) mature larva, brown colour phase.

Skunk's Misery, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada.

August 23, 2017.

 

When Pandora Sphinx cats get to a certain instar, they shed the "horn" on their butt, which is replaced by a pretty authentic-looking eye spot.

 

I unintentionally nudged this mature, chocolate-brown caterpillar, and it instantly regurgitated this greenish foam. I've never seen one do this before. I assume this is supposed to gross out predators. :-)

 

Check out Jay's first book, "Southern Ontario Butterflies and their Natural History". :-)

www.flickr.com/photos/74102791@N05/32381163732/

 

Jay's website: www.PhotographsFromNature.com

 

Photographs, Text and Videos ©Jay Cossey, PhotographsFromNature.com (PFN)

All rights reserved. Contact: PhotographsFromNature@gmail.com

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