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Nudaurelia cytherea (Saturniidae)
Caterpillar/larva: Gregarious. Reaches large sizes (10 cm - 12 cm). Covered in colourful spots, also called Christmas caterpillars because the colourful spots makes it look like a Christmas decoration.
Pine Plantations, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Adult: One of the largest in SA, but considerable variation in size.12.5 - 15 cm wingspan. Colouration differs between sexes. Pupa: Enters the soil to pupate. Dark red at first and then becomes black. Larva can be eaten.
Spotted on Nov 7, 2016
Submitted on May 7, 2020
2 Comments
Wow, what a beauty that is! Thanks for sharing with us, Caitlin. Welcome to PN, and greetings from Australia.
Hi Caitlin Gevers, welcome to Project Noah! Beautiful caterpillar!