Deilephila elpenor Horsmakiitäjän toukka IMG_1612 by annelis

Deilephila elpenor Horsmakiitäjän toukka IMG_1612

Nice portrait, isn't it? I found this Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor) caterpillar by Keravanjoki river when I was pulling up Himalayan Balsam plants. It is trying to frighten me by pulling in its nose so that spots look like big eyes and its front feet like teeth. The caterpillar was about 8 cm long and that surely is enough to frighten many.
Gosh this looks really scary.
July 23rd, 2011  
Bep
Wow! Scary animal.
July 23rd, 2011  
We have a similar caterpillar; it's called a spicebush and turns into a Tiger Swallowtail. Nice capture.... those eyes supposedly keep him safe from birds. :-)
July 23rd, 2011  
that thing is huge! I like the POV here...
July 23rd, 2011  
Wow... wouldn't want to make him mad. :)

Love the green. :)
July 26th, 2011  
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