A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Metura elongatus
The case can grow to a length of 12 cms or more. The caterpillar pupates within its silken case, which it usually hangs up on a wall, fence, or tree. They create a silken shelter, which is initially covered with bits of leaf, but later also with short twigs. They live and pupate within this shelter. When threatened, they temporarily seal the front opening of the case until the danger is past. Adult males have black wings, a orange hairy head and a black and orange banded abdomen. Female adults have no wings and remain in the larval case.
Found along the eastern half of Australia.
Cocoon measuring around 9.5cm long.
Thanks for the ID Martin. I'd love to see a male emerge - they look amazing! I guess I'll be taking a walk that way more often now :-)
Spotted on Feb 9, 2012
Submitted on Feb 9, 2012
+1
