Protection Against Predators
Caterpillars and adults have evolved a range of special defences to protect against predation, including spines, chemicals, camouflage and association with ants, which are aggressive and protect caterpillars and adults of some species, such as the blues.
Blending Camouflage: Butterflies and caterpillars can merge with their background to make it harder for predators to see them. Species like green hairstreak are very hard to see when resting on a leaf.
Mimicking: Black hairstreak and comma species can look like bird droppings.
Warning Colours: Some caterpillars, like the large white larva, are conspicuous colours like black and yellow, sending a warning to predators “don’t eat me!”
Chemical Defences: Some caterpillars, like the swallowtail, have foul-smelling organs they can push out when danger threatens.
