A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Papilio polytes
This caterpillar closely mimics a snake head up-to the slit in the eyes. The red organ on the head (Osmeterium) is extended when disturbed as a defensive mechanism. It oozes a foul-smelling secretion containing terpenes. This extension also mimics the forked tongue of a snake.
This species prefers lime trees.
Spotted on Dec 22, 2013
Submitted on Dec 22, 2013
25 Comments (1–25)
A beautiful caterpillar....
Tanks kaylabroski24... My camera is Nikon d5100 and the lens is 55mm f2.8 manual focus macro.
nice shot. What kind of camera do you use?
Thank you Bhagya
amazing .... nicely captured .....
Thanks bg11a22
Thank you
Saumya Wanniarachchi
Nice shots
Amazing shot !!!!
Thank you namitha....
Spectacular shots!
Thanks Nés Vasquez
Caterpie!
Thank you RiekoS
Very nice.
Thank you gatorfellows and Ingrid3
Thank you Reza Hashemizadeh and LaurenZarate
Absolutely fantastic view! Thank you!
lovely :)
Wonderful pictures of an amazing caterpillar.
Beauty !
Thanks suzmonk... Nature really surprises!!!!
Thank you kdpicturemaker
Crazy-good photos, sunnyjosef!
Beautiful sunnyjosef!