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Scarlet tiger caterpillars on alkanet leaves

Scarlet tiger caterpillars on alkanet leaves

Scarlet tiger moth caterpillars crawling on the leaves of alkanet plants. The yellow and black stripes are a warning to predators such as birds with hungry young chicks: beware, we are toxic. The stiff hairs along their bodies are for the same effect.

Shown in some of the pictures are blobs which show the caterpillars use the leaves not just as support and food source, but also as their toilet.