PDA

View Full Version : Giant Swallowtail caterpillars (yuck)

johnkermit1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 11:09
this thing looks like a lump of bird feces. found on my dads Lime tree (a fav. macro spot for me). he told me the next day that they were destroying the tree, so he removed them.
- i also learned that if the bird poo disguise fails then it protrudes a V-shaped osmeterium (scent organ)... (see link for a shot of that)
http://fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/09/02/giant-swallowtail-butterflies-and-caterpillars/
not the best shots - a few more on my flickr
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2680196279_76a701a2bf.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2680195819_289c5cba7c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2681013700_f8a3798cfe.jpg
Photogirl2007
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 11:27
Excellent capture John. Looking like poo is a pretty good disguise I should think!! :lol:
johnkermit1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 11:28
indeed. i was under the impression it was poo...lol
then it moved. . .
thanks Joan.
striving
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:20
then it moved. . .

ROFL!!! Very cool captures. Never seen anything like it.
johnkermit1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:21
thanks Bruce. :-)
Lester Wareham
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:44
Great captures, particularly like the stink organ behavior.
johnkermit1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:52
indeed. interesting fact i learned also. :cool:
bandit 1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:53
Hiya JK,

Great shots, of an ugly critter, great link, love that stink organ,

Damn cheek my mate that came round to help me out today recons I musta been one of those in a previous life, not quite sure what he's implying, am I ugly, do I emit a vile smell or both :lol::lol:

Cheers for now
Mark
johnkermit1
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 12:55
LMAO . . .:lol:
thanks Mark. your friend is funny!
LindaB
24th of July 2008 (Thu), 15:59
Great shots of it and what a good find.

Linda
johnkermit1
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 07:50
Thanks Linda. a first for me. :-)
LordV
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 07:54
Good shots :)
Brian V.
johnkermit1
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 07:57
thanks Brian. :-)
orionmystery
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 12:25
Nice shots...that's a face that even a mother can't love :D
johnkermit1
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 12:26
indeed ;) thanks Kurt.
lcpete
25th of July 2008 (Fri), 14:06
Great shots I never would have guessed that its a catapillar
Pete
johnkermit1
28th of July 2008 (Mon), 06:37
Thanks Pete. i was shocked to see something so bizzare also. i really thought it was some sort of slug or something. ;)