There are many wonderful and enigmatic processes in the animal realm, but few are more absorbing and gorgeous than butterfly metamorphosis. The transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly is quite fascinating.
Even more astonishing than the dramatic metamorphosis is how it occurs. The caterpillars are totally liquified inside their cocoons, preserving just basic “plates” that serve as the foundation for important elements such as wings and eyes. Despite being reduced to a protein mush, research has shown that certain butterflies may maintain caterpillar-taught behaviours. Out there!
The amazing thing is that many of these caterpillars are as, if not more, spectacular than their moth or butterfly counterparts. In comparison to these marvels, the common green caterpillar appears uninteresting. Their vivid patterns and structures frequently act as defence, announcing their deadly nature or providing predators with misleading targets to attack. The hairy caterpillars can occasionally produce an allergic reaction, which is also one of their survival strategies.
Scroll down for a taste of beautiful moth caterpillars!
#1 Black Swallowtail
#2 Polyura Sempronius
#3 Brahmin Moth
#4 Cecropia.
#5 Spicebush Swallowtail.
#6 Acraga Coa
#7 Acharia Stimulea.
#8 Phobetron Pithecium.
#9 Glass Winged Butterfly.
#10 Cerura Vinula.
#11 Flannel Moth.
#12 Blue Morpho.
#13 Isochaetes Beutenmuelleri.
#14 Hubbard’s Small Silkmoth.
#15 Isa Textula.
#16 Pipevine Swallowtail.
#17 Spotted Apatelodes.
#18 Attacus Atlas.
#19 Io Moth.
