Yesterday at the East Brunswick Community Garden I was lucky to find a late instar Black swallowtail caterpillar and to photograph the defensive use of the osmeterium. The osmeterium is a fleshy y-shaped gland that is extruded in response to a threat. It gives off strong smelling volatiles that deter predators. In response to a threat, the caterpillar first only partially extends the osmeterium and bends toward the predator (yup, me). Then as the threat continues (me annoying said caterpillar) it bends the body even further toward the predator (in this case me again) and further extends the osmeterium. If the caterpillar continues to be disturbed it will even touch the osmeterium to the predator leaving a rank smell (Dear Community Gardeners, this is the reason that I was continually sniffing my fingers yesterday, in case you were wondering). Here is a sequence of photos in response to the threat (me). Like this kind of stuff? Then visit Bug Addiction - Confessions of a Bug Addict for much more!
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 12:17:06 +0000
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