Camouflaging Caterpillars

Caterpillars move their body to shoo away predators.

17:30 27 May 2015

Researchers have found that caterpillars twist their bodies to look like a swirl of bird poo to avoid being eaten by predators. The unappetising camouflage technique is very effective due to the presence of dropping patterns on their skin. 

 

The researchers, who published their findings in the journal Animal Behaviour, replicate the appearance of the caterpillars using pastry to determine if birds are going to eat them. 

 

The study revealed that birds were up to 75per cent not likely to eat the caterpillar replicas that are moulded into a poo-like swirl. 

 

Unfortunately, the technique only works for caterpillas with specific colours. Green caterpillars are less successful in warding off hungry predators using the same technique.