A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Amerila rubripes (previously known as Rhodogastria rubripes)
Medium size moth with beautiful scarlet legs. 5cm wingspam
NT, Australia
The adult moth when disturbed, exudes a frothy yellow fluid from glands beside the eyes, and makes a sizzling noise.
Spotted on Jun 27, 2011
Submitted on Jun 29, 2011
4 Comments
There's now doubt whether my spotting was actually a Walker's Frother - http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/663...
Do either of you, Gina or CataAna, know anything about Donovan's Amsacta Tiger Moth (Aloa marginata)? e.g. How similar is it to the Walker's Frother?
Thanks Gina! I was taking very close pictures of these moths, not aware of the poisonous froth. Lucky they did not see me as a threat...
Hey, I think I've just spotted one of these!
Thanks Gina for help with the ID! ... Wow, they have poisonous froth!! I'll be a bit more careful with them...
Rhodogastria moth, often have a bright red abdomen to warn others that they carry a deadly poison. When the moth is threatened, this poison oozes as a green froth from a gland on the back of its neck.