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 43 caterpillar snake eyes DHJanzen100207.jpg high resolution
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| False eye spots are not found only on adult Lepidoptera. Stare hard at this tiger swallowtail caterpillar from Michigan and try to convince yourself that those are merely color patterns and not eyes. As a large insectivorous primate it takes quite an effort to block your own instinctive reactions. Try it with the high resolution image. Again, many insectivorous birds (and monkeys) could probably determine that it is a highly edible caterpillar if allowed to study and contemplate it from a distance. But, at least small birds are probably genetically hard-wired to flee from such an insect without running the risk of the close up scrutiny that would be required in the foliage of the forest. | ||
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