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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Butterflies (Lepidoptera) (8 Galleries) >> Butterfly Larvae and Pupae > Giant swallowtail butterfly caterpillar (Papilio cresphontes)
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06-SEP-2015 Christine Hanrahan

Giant swallowtail butterfly caterpillar (Papilio cresphontes)

Westport area

A much larger caterpillar than the previous one. This is likely a final instar or a penultimate instar. It is sitting in a prickly ash shrub, its only food source up this way. I like how the osmeterium (the red y-shaped projection which emerges when the insect is alarmed) matches the red of the fruit.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/160s f/2.8 at 4.5mm iso125 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
dirkpiet 20-Sep-2015 09:19
wow, great find, capture and information V
Don12-Sep-2015 21:58
A remarkable colour change from the early instars; here perhaps taking on a bird-dropping camouflage. Caterpillars of our Orchard Swallowtail do the reverse; start by looking like a bird dropping then turning green. They make no attempt to hide, and at my place none seem to survive the predators.
Ika Zinka Eferl07-Sep-2015 17:00
Super image , great find ,Christine!V
Irene Wehrli07-Sep-2015 16:47
It never ceases to amaze me how you find these incredibly fascinating creatures, outstanding capture Christine!
Irene
hayl07-Sep-2015 14:29
This is truly an unusual creature - great photo.
Stephanie07-Sep-2015 14:01
Isn't nature fascinating??? Wonderful information and capture Christine! V
borisalex07-Sep-2015 13:53
Stunning creature and great shot! V.
Patrick Goossens07-Sep-2015 13:46
Wow, this is marvelous in any way.
Ghislaine et Réal Boulet07-Sep-2015 13:33
Wow! Outstanding capture.
Jim Coffman07-Sep-2015 12:40
Another great find and amazing capture!
pkocinski07-Sep-2015 12:15
Amazing find, capture and info.
victorswan07-Sep-2015 11:28
Fascinating capture how wonderful how nature adapts to the environment great image well seen Christine BV+
Yvonne07-Sep-2015 10:55
How clever is nature with the matching projection when alarmed! v
Helen Betts07-Sep-2015 07:51
I wouldn't have ever taken this for a caterpillar! Super capture, and that red protrusion is quite fascinating. V.
Isabel Cutler07-Sep-2015 05:04
Phenomenally created!
Ann Pettigrew07-Sep-2015 04:34
That is amazing! I am constantly in wonder of nature. Well done and thanks for the info, too! V
joseantonio07-Sep-2015 04:07
Fascinating capture. Looks really huge.V
Don Mottershead07-Sep-2015 04:07
Fascinating.
Sam Rua07-Sep-2015 03:53
Nicely detailed capture, Christine. Their food source in my area is primarily citrus trees. And out variety has bright orange osmeteria (thanks for the new word), but the rest of the body color is the same --- a bird poop mimic.
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