Caterpillar that inspires fear

Some predatory spiders can pass as harmless insects or even tree stumps, which helps them during the hunt, but even this amazing master of disguise far from caterpillar from Costa Rica.

This track uses the opposite approach masquerading as a serpent in an attempt to scare away predators. Bright green caterpillar, snake can mislead even experienced entomologists. Its similarities with the reptile is incredible. This effect is achieved due to the unusual shape of the body and of the pattern. The body of the caterpillar is extended to the end and contains a pattern that looks like a snake eyes.





Professor Daniel Janzen made a picture of a rare insect during cataloging caterpillars. According to him, it is representative of the type hemeroplanes. Scientists note that the tricky track like a snake not only in appearance, it also repeats and habits reptile.

When it is in the larval stage, prior to the conversion of a moth, it can strike if it feels danger - despite the fact that he has no control over the bite.



Professor Janzen, who is a biologist from the University of Pennsylvania, took a picture of an insect within the protected area of ​​Guanacaste, Costa Rica.



"For normal people, this track might look strange and scary, but for me - a great and very interesting model", - he said in an interview with the online edition of the British Mail Online.

According to the scientist, almost every track in Costa Rica capable of disguise. Many of them may seem like something completely different, such as a leaf or branch.

"Over the years I have seen and photographed so many different species of beetles that almost ceased to be surprised, but are still kind of looking at that is impossible to remain indifferent," - he added.



Janzen has been studying caterpillars in Costa Rica since 1978 and is an expert on insects with half a century of experience. He spends half a year in the university, and in the second half of Central America, combing the habitats of unusual creatures such as the caterpillars.



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