Large Blue Caterpillar Enamel Pin
Free gift for first-time customers - no code needed
$4 flat US shipping / free US shipping for orders $50 and up
This butterfly is admired for its beauty, but there's more here than first meets the eye. Eggs are laid on the flowers of host plants like wild thyme, where a caterpillar can blend in as it feasts and grows. But upon reaching its fourth instar, something strange happens.
The caterpillar drops from its host plant and seeks out a red ant (Myrmica sabuleti). Using visual and scent cues, it mimics an ant larva. The ant rushes the caterpillar back to her nest, where it proceeds to gobble up its "siblings" as the worker ants groom and care for it. After a long pupation within the brood chamber, the adult butterfly hurries out of the ant nest before its wings expand. It then lives only a week or so to mate and propagate the species.
This enamel pin is larger than life-sized to show detail. Double-posted, soft enamel with epoxy. Originally from the March 2024 Bug Box.
Choose options
Turn your pins into something new
Never run out of places to put your pins again. With our magnetic pin backers, you can easily turn any pin into a magnet and decorate your fridge, magnetic blackboard, tool chest, and more.
When you want a pin again, just remove the backers. Magnetic pin backs are completely reusable.
- Available in tins of 10, 25, or 100 backs. Choose from a variety of colors to make your collection even bolder.
- Made in the USA, designed and assembled by us!
- Featuring biodegradable plastic and a super-strong magnet.
Pins shown in photos are for display only and are not included with purchase.