Thursday, 26 April 2012

Toad responds to Deilephila elpenor caterpillar

I came across an interesting set of photos which depict a toad's reaction when presented with a late-instar Deilephila elpenor (Sphingidae) caterpillar:

http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/07328-toad-defensive-at-elephant-hawkmoth-caterpillar

http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/07327-toad-defensive-at-elephant-hawkmoth-caterpillar

According to the photographer the toad has adopted a "snake-defensive" posture, however I'm unsure of the validity of this statement. No doubt that snakes are important predators of frogs and toads, but I know that large frogs and toads also attack and eat small snakes. This is clearly an artificial setting, but it is plausible that frogs and toads might come across a late-instar Deilephila elpenor caterpillar as they pupate amongst leaf litter and other debris.

More information about the natural history of Deilephila elpenor can be found here.