Phase Contrast and DIC Comparison Image Gallery
Giant Leopard Moth Wing Scales - DIC
When disturbed or threatened, the giant leopard moth larva curls up into a black, hairy ball and reveals its bright red intersegmental rings. The large caterpillar's spiracles are also ringed in bright red, which completes a warning coloration that discourages predation. The giant woolly bear's long black setae cause skin irritations and, in some cases, more serious allergic reactions when handled. Each hair bears numerous minute barbs and the defensive compounds stored in the hollow setae work by entering scratches and other wounds created by the barbs.
