Many caterpillars (especially moth caterpillars) are very hairy. The hairs provide a modicum of protection because they are often irritating to predators. When the caterpillar is fully mature and enters the pupa stage to undergo metamorphosis, the body hairs are often woven in with the silk to form the cocoon. In this example (species unknown to me), the hairs appear to have been arranged in a sort of protective tent.
Credit, via.
No comments:
Post a Comment