Today’s photo shows a caterpillar of a Mullein moth on a leaf of a mullein plant (Verbascum). Its anterior end is at the left side of the image, its posterior end at the right side. The anterior end shows a phony face with eyes (see yesterday’s post).
Butterfly caterpillars like that of the Mullein moth have numerous predators. To increase their survival rate, they use phony faces, toxic colors and false eyes that say: I am big, dangerous, and poisonous. You better leave me alone!