Gallery: Caterpillars from China's Rain Forest

  • don't lick caterpillars
    John Horstman
    01

    Chalcosiine moth

    This caterpillar will grow up into a brightly colored day-flying moth. The bright colors on both moths and caterpillars advertise they contain cyanide to discourage predators. See those droplets at the tips of the spines? That's hydrogen cyanide. Horstman's advice: "Don't lick caterpillars."
  • slug caterpillar
    John Horstman
    02

    Slug Caterpillar

    This caterpillar looks like a glass sculpture, or maybe a fancy bit of candy. But it's actually a Stinging Nettle, or Stinging Slug Caterpillar. Touching it would be an extremely bad idea.
  • stinging caterpillar
    John Horstman
    03

    Stinging slug caterpillar

    Do not make this stinging slug caterpillar annoyed. The inset at upper left shows the relaxed caterpillar; when annoyed it unfurls its stinging spines in a clear "Do Not Touch" message.
  • this jelly bean is a caterpillar
    John Horstman
    04

    This jelly bean is a caterpillar

    It's not a jelly bean -- It's a cleverly disguised slug caterpillar. Instead of covering itself in spines, it's a blob with no visible head.
  • cryptic caterpillar
    John Horstman
    05

    You can't see me

    This stinging nettle caterpillar is disguised as a leaf. If an unwary predator disturbs it, the venomous spines will send them packing quickly.
  • cup moth cocoon
    John Horstman
    06

    Cup Moth Cocoon

    Slug and Nettle caterpillars grow up into Cup Moths. The group gets its name from their silken cocoon, which is hardened with calcium oxalate they excrete as they spin their hideaway. The circular escape hatch leaves this distinctive cup behind when the adult moth emerges.
  • caterpillars and ants
    John Horstman
    07

    14220517884-1bd43b0476-k

    This looks like a disaster for the caterpillars --but it's actually a bonus. Many members of the butterfly family Lycaenidae have specialized organs or glands that secrete substances that may attract or reward ants. In return, the ants protect the caterpillars from predators.
  • sergeant caterpillar
    John Horstman
    08

    15699756276-b55eb721a7-k

    This photo shows the history of a caterpillar's life. Sergeant Butterfly Caterpillars feeds from the leaf tip, leaving only the middle rib of the leaf behind. It also builds a frass chain of all it's poop, strung together with silk. When the caterpillar is resting, it perches above it's festive fecal garland, which effectively deters ant predators.
  • caterpillar hut
    John Horstman
    09

    bagworm

    This little caterpillar has built itself a pagoda. Bagworm caterpillars construct shelters out of leaf bits and silk to hide them as they feed. The poop pellets at right are the only evidence there is a caterpillar in there.
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