Meet the Multi-Headed Caterpillar

Multi-headed creatures seemed to exist only in mythology and science fiction... until now. Meet the multi-headed caterpillar - it sports multiple heads, with the next head hovering above smaller than the previous one.

1. The multi-headed caterpillar Buy this Photo



Is it real?

It is definitely real. These extra heads are actually remnants of the caterpillar's previous instars. Like many other arthropods (e.g. spiders), the caterpillar's growth is limited by the rigid exoskeleton which must be shed in order to grow. In the process of shedding, this caterpillar retains the exoskeleton of just the head so that with each shedding process, a new head is stacked above!


2. Close up on the multiple heads



What is the purpose of the additional heads?

I don't know, and I'm not sure if the actual reason has been studied or proven yet. My first guess is that the additional heads serve as decoys, so that predators would snag its spare heads. In this case, the "redundancy" works!


3. With so many heads, predators may just bite the old heads off


4. When viewed from above, the "head tower" is concealed


5. While not obvious, a little of the heads can be seen in this picture


6. The fluffy exterior had me thinking that this caterpillar had already been engulfed in fungus... until it moved!


7. These little heads bring a new definition to "bad hair day"


8. From the side, the caterpillar's heads can be seen peeking out


9. It raised its heads to greet me!


10. Another close up on the heads


11. Doing another back stretch, but the heads won't fall off!


12. With back-lighting, we could see that the additional heads were just weakly propped up on top of each other

The ID of this species remains unknown to me. If anyone has a clue, would appreciate comments below!

2015 has thus far been quite interesting, with several new findings which I will document here later!

For a preview of future posts, the complete album can be viewed via Flickr.

Looking for more? Check the 2014 Macro Photography Highlights for the entire year's significant findings!