Gum Leaf Skeletonizer Moth (larva)

Description:

Caterpillars are extremely hairy with yellow and brown markings. Mature caterpillars are approximately 20-25mm in length. A characteristic of these caterpillars (which makes them very easy to identify) is the retention of head capsules when they moult. The head capsules are pushed up to resemble a horn on top of the head. Young caterpillars feed in groups on the leaf surface, skeletonizing it and causing wilting and browning. Older caterpillars consume all the leaf tissue, leaving only the midrib.

Habitat:

Gum leaf.

Notes:

And here I was thinking it had a scary tail - when in fact it was a pile of old head capsules. Embarrassing to get the wrong end but more gross to find out what it actually is.