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Project Noah Nature School
Cryptophasa irrorata
This Casuarina was infested with numerous clumps of frass held loosely by silky threads. This is the entrance to a hole made by a swiftmoth caterpillar. Several contained a curious clump of leaves (needles) and demanded further investigation. These seem to be a food source for the caterpillar to continue eating while hiding in its retreat over the daylight hours.
Thank you super sleuth Leuba for your ID of this moth. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170... There seems to be no images easily available online for this cryptic caterpillar so this may be some compensation for its invasion of privacy (and probably) its life for my curiosity. http://gvcocks.homeip.net/lepidoptera/xy... I was accompanied by Angy Bee, Leuba and Pamsai, and this bush walk was particularly enjoyable.
Spotted on Oct 30, 2012
Submitted on Oct 30, 2012
9 Comments
Thank you super sleuth Leuba for your ID of this moth.
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170...
It seemsthat until now no images easily available online for this cryptic caterpillar so this may be some compensation for me invading its privacy (and probably its life) simply for my curiosity.
Great work detective Leuba.
Martin, I've had to rethink this spotting of mine. I believe that this is the work of a timber-moth larva (Xyloryctinae). here's my amended spotting with reference to your spotting, for images of the larva. Mystery solved !
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170...
Thanks for your comments J, Angry Bee :) , Daniele, Leuba and asergio.
I think there's many species of swift moths to be identified. This behaviour of storing some foliage is fascinating.
Now that is a great spotting. Congratulations, Martin.
great shots Martin !
:-) Angy Bee is better than Angry Bee:-)
Angy Dickinson please !
Very interesting, Martin!