Gallery: Caterpillars from China's Rain Forest
John Horstman01Chalcosiine 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."
John Horstman02Slug 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.
John Horstman03Stinging 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.
John Horstman04This 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.
John Horstman05You 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.
John Horstman06Cup 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.
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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.
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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.
John Horstman09bagworm
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.
