 |
Two thirds of its length are erected, with the front part pulled
together to form an impressively big mock head. The true head of the
caterpillar is the narrow flat section at the very front.
At the "chin" of the mock head there are three small white protrudings. They are the three pairs of front legs of the caterpillar, from which the legs of the adult insect will develop. So they are the true legs of the insect. Below the middle part of the caterpillar, you can recognize another four pairs of "false legs". The caterpillar only has got them. They will be reduced when the insect turns into a moth during its period as a chrysalis. The same is valid for the claspers, which is the pair of hind legs at the very end of the caterpillar. The "tail" of the caterpillar is a part of its camouflage. It serves to imitate a leaf-stalk and helps to visually merge the caterpillar in its tree top surroundings. |
