By Susan Milius
For a few weeks every summer in central Finland, orange may become the new black. Bright colors on caterpillars temporarily stop working as well as plain black bodies in reducing risks of getting eaten by birds, a new study says.
Flashy markings on caterpillars, as on many other animals, can serve as memorable warnings of toxins within. Predators, however, have to learn what the warnings mean. Every year, a new generation of fledgling birds pecks brightly colored caterpillars and gets an education in what not to eat.