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Post by wollastoni on Sept 30, 2016 16:18:27 GMT
Made by my friend Atanu Bora :
Metamorphosis is one of the most impressive spectacle of Nature ! Especially in this species with different mimetic phases : bird fence-mimicry, leaf-mimicry as caterpillar, leaf-mimicry as pupae...
Wonderful ! |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Sept 30, 2016 17:51:11 GMT
I think you mean "bird-dropping mimicry".
Do you know where these photos were taken?
Adam.
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ciervo
Aurelian
Posts: 161
Country: Australia
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Post by ciervo on Oct 1, 2016 1:41:23 GMT
What about the eye spots on the mature larval stage?
What do we think they represent?
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Post by Paul K on Oct 1, 2016 3:56:53 GMT
What about the eye spots on the mature larval stage? What do we think they represent? Eye spots should represent large eyes on the head and most likely snake heads or other ugly creatures that bite. Large eyes=big mouth too. And it works! My wife said they have big eyes and large mouth and they must bite! ( the whole head of larvae looks like opened mouth ready to bite). After explaining and showing all in details I still think she is not 100% convinced they are harmless. Paul. |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 1, 2016 8:46:43 GMT
Certainly the 5th instar larva of the great orange tip Hebomoia glaucippe mimics a pit viper (genus Trimeresurus), even adopting a pit viper stance when disturbed. The eye spots on the larva of Daphnis nerii also look very much like a snake head.
Many people claim that the osmeterium of Papilionid larvae mimics a snake's tongue, and larvae often throw their head back while sticking out their osmeterium in what appears to be a snake strike action. However, this could also just be an attempt to disturb a parasitoid landing on the larva's back. Snake mimicry has not actually been confirmed in this case, although it seems the obvious answer to us humans.
Adam.
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Post by africaone on Oct 1, 2016 13:26:31 GMT
Certainly the 5th instar larva of the great orange tip Hebomoia glaucippe mimics a pit viper (genus Trimeresurus), even adopting a pit viper stance when disturbed. The eye spots on the larva of Daphnis nerii also look very much like a snake head. Many people claim that the osmeterium of Papilionid larvae mimics a snake's tongue, and larvae often throw their head back while sticking out their osmeterium in what appears to be a snake strike action. However, this could also just be an attempt to disturb a parasitoid landing on the larva's back. Snake mimicry has not actually been confirmed in this case, although it seems the obvious answer to us humans. Adam. It is probably only relied to the mecanic (ergonomy), to maximise the effect of the chemical and may be to touch the parasit ! Does we know wich can of predator or parasit it repells ? If it is only parasit like wasps, ichneumon, ants, flies, etc.. I seriously doubt it mimics a snake tongue.
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Post by Paul K on Oct 1, 2016 13:50:18 GMT
Certainly the 5th instar larva of the great orange tip Hebomoia glaucippe mimics a pit viper (genus Trimeresurus), even adopting a pit viper stance when disturbed. The eye spots on the larva of Daphnis nerii also look very much like a snake head. Many people claim that the osmeterium of Papilionid larvae mimics a snake's tongue, and larvae often throw their head back while sticking out their osmeterium in what appears to be a snake strike action. However, this could also just be an attempt to disturb a parasitoid landing on the larva's back. Snake mimicry has not actually been confirmed in this case, although it seems the obvious answer to us humans. Adam. It is probably only relied to the mecanic (ergonomy), to maximise the effect of the chemical and may be to touch the parasit ! Does we know wich can of predator or parasit it repells ? If it is only parasit like wasps, ichneumon, ants, flies, etc.. I seriously doubt it mimics a snake tongue.
I would rather say it is against birds and mammals include humans as the vision is closer related to ours. I don't think that the parasitic insects would recognize those visual to us mimics . Rapid movement or other similar behaviour is related as africaone mentioned to mechanical repellent rather than visual . Paul |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Oct 1, 2016 16:57:38 GMT
I tend to agree, and it is interesting to note that the volatile oils on the osmeterium which give it such a pungent smell actually attract Chalcidoid parasitoids towards the larvae.
Adam.
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