wildshots
Senior Member
Could even do a forum like this. Things that we find as odd, unusual or strange.
Certainly a first for me, the Abbot's Sphinx Moth Caterpillar. The very detailed 'snake head' is actually on the caterpillar's BUTT ! The caterpillar's head is on the other end. This, in nature, is to make a predator attack that end so possibly the caterpillar will still have one last chance at survival. The cyclops 'eye' is a modified barbule that many caterpillars have near the rear. It is not an eye at all but looks pretty convincing. Even the tiny white reflection is a mimic. The white dot in the one eye is not reflected light, but a permanent spot meant to copy reflected light. This caterpillar is VERY active when threatened. It wriggles violently and can even make a hissing noise from air passages exiting between its legs.
Certainly a first for me, the Abbot's Sphinx Moth Caterpillar. The very detailed 'snake head' is actually on the caterpillar's BUTT ! The caterpillar's head is on the other end. This, in nature, is to make a predator attack that end so possibly the caterpillar will still have one last chance at survival. The cyclops 'eye' is a modified barbule that many caterpillars have near the rear. It is not an eye at all but looks pretty convincing. Even the tiny white reflection is a mimic. The white dot in the one eye is not reflected light, but a permanent spot meant to copy reflected light. This caterpillar is VERY active when threatened. It wriggles violently and can even make a hissing noise from air passages exiting between its legs.