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Doratifera vulnerans
An extroverted caterpillar with stinging spines everted to defend against curious predators and photographers. This larvae is beside a pupa and will soon pupate itself. This 'slug' caterpillar does not have true legs (pic 5) and an early instar (pic 6) was noticed nearby.
18 Comments
Thank you Pam
Thanks you Saumya
These are sometimes quite common in summer and campers are aware not to sit too close to branches for fear of brushing up against them.
Awesome series with great colors !
great series martini... thanks
Thanks PunkusArnett
Yes, I think they are alien
Looks Alien!
Thanks Leanne, ceherzog and Mayra
Fascinating! Great series!
Crazy...and wonderful!
That's a double wow from me! These are so awsome :)
Thank you Antonio.
Thank you Jakubko sorry for the typo :(
Wow,this one is awesome ,great Martinl,congrats and thanks for sharing
Thanks Maria and Courtney and Jacubko. This one actually stung me as I brushed my hand while moving another branch aside. It stung strongly for a few moments and the pain was gone quickly :) I collected the pupa and hope to click the moth again this season.
Spectacular caterpillar, Martin! Thank you so much for sharing and adding to my mission, "Moths of the World!"
Awesome series of pictures! Awesome find!!
Very nice series; the "spiky" caterpillars are always so interesting to see.
Thank you Argy Bee and Reza
Wonderful !
That's a nice colour set Martin. Interesting some are pupating there as this little guy has a few more days yet to go? One thing that impressed me last season was how all specimens on one tree cupped at the same time.