Peacock butterfly caterpillar. Larval stage in the life cycle of the peacock butterfly (Inachis io). This caterpillar is fully grown after its fourth

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Peacock butterfly caterpillar. Larval stage in the life cycle of the peacock butterfly (Inachis io). This caterpillar is fully grown after its fourth moult. It was formerly gregarious, but now feeds singly until ready to pupate. It has a number of tubercles bearing bristles on its back and side, which help defend against predators such as birds.

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Size: 5125px × 3417px
Photo credit: © DR KEITH WHEELER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 1, animal, biological, biology, bristles, butterfly, caterpillar, cycle, entomological, entomology, fauna, fourth, inachis, insect, invertebrate, io, larva, larval, leaf, life, moult, nature, peacock, plant, single, stage, tubercles, wildlife, zoological, zoology