These may be paired on hind wings and closely resemble owl's eyes, complete with oval pupils and owlish highlights. Hidden when the moth is at rest, the sudden flash of the eyes startles approaching would-be predators, giving the insect time to escape. Small eye markings on wing edges appear to deflect the bites of pursuing predators from the vital head and thorax. Masters of Danger and Deception Caterpillars also have their defenses, including warning coloration. This is the most vulnerable stage in the lepidopteran life cycle, as caterpillars are slow and often highly exposed on the leaves they eat.
Some caterpillars cause intense skin irritation in mammals.
I still remember the rash on my arms and legs that broke out after I handled a hairy black and red caterpillar when I was eight years old. After that, I knew that black and red meant danger. The caterpillars of saddleback moths look cute, rather like small terriers wearing doggy jackets. They have lateral rows of stiff spines and four long projections, fore and aft, bearing clumps of spines. Merely brushing against the spines causes instant pain like an electric-shock jolt, presumably from some very potent substance.