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The caterpillars pupate within their tunnels; they often have an unpleasant smell, hence another colloquial name is goat moths. The family includes the carpenterworm (Prionoxystus robiniae) and the goat moth (Cossus cossus) which have gained popularity as pests. However, the large caterpillars of species that do not smell badly are often edible.
Some caterpillars, like early instars of the tomato hornworm and tobacco hornworm, have long "whip-like" organs attached to the ends of their body. The caterpillar wiggles these organs to frighten away flies and predatory wasps. [18] Some caterpillars can evade predators by using a silk line and dropping off from branches when disturbed.
Ecological associations that include the production of a reward are usually interpreted as mutualistic (both partners benefit), but singing caterpillars and their associated ants do not conform to the rule. Secretion-harvesting ants form ecological associations with secretion-producing plants, and typically defend their plant resources from ...
To humans, this odour is rather strong but not unpleasant, usually smelling like a concentrated scent of the caterpillar's food plant and pineapple. The constitution of the osmeterial secretion varies from species to species and contains monoterpene hydrocarbons , sesquiterpenic compounds or a mixture of aliphatic acids and esters .
A tail-like spine protruding from the back of the body is a typical for sphingid moth caterpillars, known as “hornworms”. [2] This horn, which may sometimes be yellow and have a black tip, is not a stinger, and the caterpillars are not harmful to humans. [7] The larvae can also sometimes be lime green and black.
The puss caterpillar is covered in venomous spines hidden beneath its hair coat. Months after the emergene of murder hornets in the U.S., there is a new bug menace. The puss caterpillar is covered ...
It is weak-wooded, poorly branched and its flowers smell like a high school locker room laundry pile. If the malodorous flowers were its worst offense, we could probably get over it. The species ...
The larvae – caterpillars – have a toughened (sclerotised) head capsule, chewing mouthparts, and a soft body, that may have hair-like or other projections, three pairs of true legs, and up to five pairs of prolegs. Most caterpillars are herbivores, but a few are carnivores (some eat ants, aphids, or other caterpillars) or detritivores. [2]