18/08/2026
Is this a snake – or a caterpillar? 🐍🐛
This fascinating caterpillar was discovered by our team member Felipe in one of our project areas in Manabí, Ecuador. It is most likely Eumorpha labruscae, a moth species from the Sphingidae family – and a remarkable example of nature’s ability to deceive.
What makes its defence strategy particularly fascinating is that both ends of its body contribute to the deception. At the front, its body shape and large false eyespots create the impression of a small snake’s head – especially when the caterpillar retracts its real head and adopts a defensive posture.
But take a closer look at the other end in the video: the “eye” you see moving is not an eye at all. 👁️
In its final larval stage, the characteristic horn found at the rear end of many sphinx moth caterpillars disappears and is replaced by a conspicuous false eyespot. Even more fascinating, Eumorpha labruscae can move the surrounding tissue so that this false eye appears to pulse or even blink – a behaviour that has been scientifically documented for the species.
Eventually, this extraordinary caterpillar will transform into a large and striking nocturnal moth.
A small encounter, but another impressive reminder of how much there is still to discover and understand in these ecosystems – and of the value of having people on the ground who observe them closely every day. 🌿
