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Project Noah Nature School
Doratifera vulnerans
They are back !! At least 4 instars of larvae of the cup moth all on the one young tree. The small ones were clustered on one leaf -they were about 4 mms each. The little ones seemed to have raised "knobs" on the saddles, heads and rear end - all with retractable (?) spines, making them look a little furrier than the older larvae.The older ones were feeding alone, each on a single leaf. One can see the development of colour in the older ones-there are no black markings near the foot on the larva in pic 4, the larger one in pic 5 shows balck lines along the foot at the head and rear end. Pics 5 & 6 are of larvae of the same size, one with spines retracted and one in full extension (pic 6)
Young eucalyptus tree - species not known.
This young tree has been the host to many species of insects. this time, it was the cup moth larvae in large numbers. Hopefully they will not decimate the tree! Here's a spotting of Martin's, showing the early instar in better detail: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/866... Family: Limacodidae
Spotted on Feb 5, 2014
Submitted on Feb 6, 2014
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