Subject: What is this catapillar
Location: Vestal center ny
July 27, 2015 8:49 am
My kids saw this yesterday in vestal center, New York, which is near Binghamton n y. It was four inches long, brown in color violet dots like a collar yellow giant eyes with a violet dot in the middle,a forked yellow tongue and funky psychedelic colors down its back
Signature: Abby binder
Dear Abby,
This is a Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar and it has extracted its osmeterium, a forked organ that produces a foul odor to deter predators. What you have mistaken for “yellow giant eyes” are actually spots that resemble eyes, another defense mechanism to protect the docile caterpillar against predators.
Thank you so much….kids thrilled!