THIS ADORABLE BLACK SWALLOWTAIL CATERPILLAR may look harmless curled up around a piece of bark, but if you sneak up on the critter, it will unleash a surprisingly putrid counterattack.
Hidden in the caterpillar’s head are two large, bright orange antenna or forked gland, called osmeterium. When agitated or in danger, the snake tongue-like gland shoots out towards the threat and emits a foul, spoiled cheese smell. This photograph was taken at the Cairns Botanical Gaardens recently.
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It looks FIERCE!!!
ReplyDeleteBig, bad, bug!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great defence mechanism.
ReplyDeleteWow, that last photo is awesome, great shot of the caterpillar. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
ReplyDeleteYou probably don't know until it's too late! lol Great photos of this interesting creature!
ReplyDeleteThat is not a creature of great beauty. Hope you did not disturb it too much.
ReplyDeleteWe have a "stink bug" here which shoots the odor-causing chemical from elsewhere, with similar effect. You learn early not to squish them, that also unleashes the smell. Birds make the mistake of eating one once and only once.
ReplyDeleteThis guy looks like he's well able to warn everyone and everything away.