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Project Noah Nature School
Doratifera quadriguttata
Caterpillar with delicate and colorful pattern along its back. Spines cause itching and colors are for warning.
Found about 12 specimens on young plantation yellow box (gum) native habitat parkland.
Accidentally brushing my hand against one while photographing another, I suffered mild irritation for about 20 minutes but no physical indications. Added another pic next day to illustrate its defensive spines. See another one here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/683...
Spotted on Feb 7, 2012
Submitted on Feb 7, 2012
14 Comments
I've found its empty pupal case :)
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/192...
Thank you Jakubko
What terrific colors! Thanks for sharing this fantastic spotting! I LOVE the last shot!!
WONDERFUL!!!! Fantastic colours!!!
must be those stinging looks
And this only has four while this one http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/888... has eight. Still it was able to sting me again somehow, without me even touching it.
It is like a sea anemone... (the bristle, I mean).
I've added another photo after spraying with water to stimulate it to evert (one of) its bristles.
Another psychedelic caterpillar!
Thanks for your comments
spectacular
Thanks asergio. Notice its four bristles are mostly retracted at the anterior (right) end of the caterpillar. I will have to annoy one and photograph it in its defensive pose =)
Wow, it is beautiful, and the pictures are perfect. Congratulations, Martin.
AKA Painted cupmoth larva. Here is the adult with four spots http://freeimagefinder.com/detail/659049...