Question

If you see a caterpillar covered in yellow and red spines, you would suspect that it:_______

Answer 1

A caterpillar with yellow and red spines likely uses aposematic coloration to warn predators of its distasteful or poisonous nature, similar to that of the monarch butterfly caterpillar and the fire-bellied toad.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you see a caterpillar covered in yellow and red spines, you would suspect that it employs a form of aposematic, or warning, coloration. This type of coloration is a defensive mechanism that certain species use to warn predators of their distasteful or poisonous nature. For instance, the monarch butterfly caterpillar displays bright yellow and black colors as a signal of its toxicity, which it derives from sequestering poisons from the milkweed plants it consumes. Similarly, fire-bellied toads showcase bright underbellies to predators as a sign that they are poisonous and thus should not be eaten.