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 7 5th instar DHJanzen100768.jpg high resolution
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| The 5th (and last) instar caterpillar changes is yet a different color pattern. It is now as large as a finger, and as such may not be a good mimic of the much smaller urticating limacodid caterpillars. There are other models in the habitat. The large blue-green caterpillar of Periphoba arcaei is very strongly urticating, and the blue-green anterior end of this caterpillar bears fine white hairs that increase the resemblance to the front end of a spine-covered P. arcaei caterpillar. P. arcaei has its white and purple lateral stripes running horizontally (lengthwise) while those of R. lebeau are vertical - but nevertheless, they are white with a lavender border. | ||
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