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Battus philenor - Pipevine swallowtail larva
Papiliondae
Northern California, USA

photograph © Alex Wild 2005

The pipevine swallowtail is a beautiful insect both as a caterpillar and as an adult butterfly.  The red markings serve as a warning to predators about the caterpillar's defensive chemistry.

 
USA CA: Solano Co.  Cold Canyon entrance.  26.v.2005  38º30.667'N 122º05.841'W, 100m
Riparian oak woodland.


This image is copyrighted by the photographer and cannot be used without permission. To obtain permission to use this image, please email Alex Wild. (alwild (at) myrmecos.net).  Most of the photographs on myrmecos.net are reduced from their original size and compressed for more efficient web transmission.  In some cases, higher quality versions are available.

This image was captured with a Canon EOS D60, with a Canon 65/2.8 MPE 1-5x Macro lens.