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Western Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4177 (Papilio rutulus)
Photo#1297959
Copyright © 2016
Robert Gorman
Western Tiger Swallowtail Larva 1st-3rd Instar -
Papilio rutulus
San Clemente, Orange County, California, USA
September 26, 2016
Size: mm
Tape is cm, moves its head when feeling threatened also the Horns can't remember what to call them come out! This photo taken on 09/27/16
Images of this individual:
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Contributed by
Robert Gorman
on 27 September, 2016 - 7:55pm
Last updated 25 October, 2016 - 9:57am
Moved
Moved from
Butterflies and Skippers
.
…
John S. Ascher
, 4 October, 2016 - 6:28pm
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Moved
Moved from
ID Request
.
…
john and jane balaban
, 1 October, 2016 - 8:22pm
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4th
This would be 4th instar
…
Dave Rogers
, 29 September, 2016 - 8:01am
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3rd Still i think
Have not found a molt yet? but growing very fast, stretches out very long when crawling or eating. then bunches up into a more protective position.
…
Robert Gorman
, 29 September, 2016 - 10:14am
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Head
Look at the head to determine the instar.
…
Dave Rogers
, 29 September, 2016 - 4:37pm
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instar.
How can I judge the instar by looking at the head? What should i look for to tell the difference? Thank Dave, Bob
…
Robert Gorman
, 29 September, 2016 - 11:56pm
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Osmeterium
Nice series of photos!
The "horns" are called the osmeterium, an organ that swallowtail caterpillars deploy as a defensive maneuver. They're retractable, and not visible in this photo, where the caterpillar was more relaxed.
In addition to startling predators with the bright color and "forked tongue" look, the osmeterium also sprays smelly chemicals to repel predators.
BugGuide has a small page on osmeteria here,
if you want to see some more examples from different caterpillars.
…
MosquitoBait
, 28 September, 2016 - 10:33am
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