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Photo#404973
Strange caterpiller with a shell and retracting antenna on my orange tree. - Papilio cresphontes

Strange caterpiller with a shell and retracting antenna on my orange tree. - Papilio cresphontes
Lutz, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA
June 3, 2010
Size: 1 1/2"

The "antennae"
are actually scent organs called "osmateria". They produce a strong odor not particularly unpleasant to humans, but apparently very repulsive to most predaceous insects (particularly wasps and bees).

Moved from ID Request.

Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes They look much different when mature.

 
Giant Swallowtail
Thank you both. I'll get it back into the tree right away.

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