Giant Swallowtail butterfly larva ( Papilio cresphontes ) by larose forest photos

larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Butterfly Larvae and Pupae > Giant Swallowtail butterfly larva (Papilio cresphontes)

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14-SEP-2014	Christine Hanrahan

Giant Swallowtail butterfly larva (Papilio cresphontes)

Reveler Conservation Area

Another of the 6 caterpillars we found today. This one has its osmeterium extended, something swallowtail caterpillars do as a means of scaring off predators.

To see the butterfly this will become: http://www.pbase.com/laroseforest/image/143642688

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/160s f/2.8 at 4.5mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto

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Don		16-Sep-2014 21:26
This is recognisably similar to caterpillars of our Papilio swallowtails; colours a bit like a bird dropping. Notably, several species I know well from food plants in my backyard make no attempt to hide.

LynnH		15-Sep-2014 15:39
It's scaring me too!

Torben Jorgensen		15-Sep-2014 11:06
Great macro. V

Patrick Goossens		15-Sep-2014 08:03
Incredible. Never seen anything like this.

Helen Betts		15-Sep-2014 05:54
Excellent detail on its body, and super light. That red thing would scare me off too! V.

joseantonio		15-Sep-2014 04:15
Looks really huge.V.

globalgadabout		15-Sep-2014 04:10
looks like the product of a high-end bakery...sweet shot Christine..V

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