Video from Phil Torres.
Ever poked a swallowtail caterpillar before? If you do, you’ll get a colorful (and SMELLY) surprise. These bright, forked organs are called osmeteria and are found in all caterpillars in the swallowtail family. They smell just plain horrendous (and make your poking finger smell like that the rest of the day) which is a great natural defense against predators who may try to eat them! While I found these guys in Peru, swallowtail butterflies can be found pretty much everywhere and their caterpillars like munching on citrus trees or carrot family plants (dill, parsley, anise), so check your backyard this summer! #papilionidae #Tambopata #peru #lepidoptera
Posted by Phil Torres on Sunday, March 25, 2018
