Photo by Mark Fosh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe Puss Moth caterpillar is fun to talk about since they have an unique defense mechanism that makes them dangerous.\u00a0 You intrigued yet?\u00a0 Both adults and caterpillars have many predators including bats, birds, frogs and rodents. When a predator approaches, the caterpillar will strike a defensive attack by spraying formic acid into the face of the oncoming killer.\u00a0 Just to help you brush up on your chemistry, formic acid is often used as a preservative and is also found in bee and ant stings. This little defense mechanism has brought the title of “Most Dangerous Caterpillar in Britain” to the Puss Moth.\u00a0 I bet they feel tough and unstoppable in Britain, until they are eaten by a bat.\u00a0 Now you know why the caterpillar is much more fun than the adult and let’s face it the caterpillar looks way cooler too.<\/p>\n
Thanks for reading today’s Wild Fact even though it was about a pesky insect.\u00a0 Have a great day!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I think I have done enough cute and cuddly animals since “Parasite Week” that it is safe to do a Wild Fact on a cool insect. What?!? There hasn’t been enough cute and fuzzy animals.\u00a0 What about the Raccoon Dog, Senegal Galago, Little Penguin and who could forget the cutest salamander ever, the Axolotl. I think I have proved just how cute Wild Facts has been lately so let’s take a look at the Puss Moth (Centura venula).\u00a0 I added the scientific name for today’s animal because I want everyone to know that we are just looking at the European <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2963,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17,4024],"tags":[348,1106,1104,1105,907,4025,1103],"yoast_head":"\n
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