Tussock-moth Caterpillar

Orgyia sp.

Description:

Hairy. With four tufts on the back.

Habitat:

By now my neighbours know that I love animals; creepy-crawlies included. In the last few years I have been able to change the attitude of at least one neighbour...she now no longer kills caterpillars. Today she left one for me, packed carefully in a plastic pack with air holes thoughtfully provided (last shot). She also provisioned it with a flower as a meal. It was my surprise as I stepped out to go for a walk early this morning. After I took the photographs I thought I should release the caterpillar in my garden and not let it ruin her plants...(she is an avid gardener and hates it when bugs chomp the leaves on her plant). I released the caterpillar on my hibiscus plant which currently has a lush growth of young leaves. I was slightly perturbed when the caterpillar began to race around the branches...searching obviously....but not finding food. For a minute I thought I had placed it on a non-food plant and it would starve...when I had an idea. My hibiscus plant had just one flower...I picked it and placed in in the path of the caterpillar. It stopped in its tracks and began to chomp! By the time I was leaving for work, the flower was almost gone. But there are buds...it will not die hungry.