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Tailed Jay Caterpillars

These are caterpillars of the Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon), which is a swallowtail from Southeast Asia and closely related to our Zebra Swallowtail. Like that species, it feeds on trees in the Pawpaw or Custard Apple family (Annonaceae). As do other swallowtail caterpillars, it has a forked organ, the osmeterium, which it sticks out from behind its head when disturbed. This emits a foul odor which discourages predators from eating the caterpillar.

 

www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Malaysia%20-%20Graphium%20a...

 

 

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Uploaded on January 21, 2011
Taken on November 26, 2002