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Project Noah Nature School
Doratifera vulnerans
Upon detecting a threat, such as a photographer leaning in, this slug moth larva everts all eight pompoms of stinging spines for an effective defense display and weapons ready. When the threat is over, the bristled weaponry is folded into eight pouches, pic 3 This display looks suitable for a birthday party decoration.
Spotted on Feb 28, 2013
Submitted on Feb 28, 2013
20 Comments
Great shots! Nice info too. I quite like the pompoms.
Thank you sintija
Wonderful!!!!!! :)))
Thanks for your comment DonnaBollenbach
Great images and information. Beautiful!
Thank you Mari. There are lots of these this year.
Fantastic!
Thanks Karen, thanks Aaron and thanks Nature lover
@Aaron, the second species is another related species cupmoth that is suddenly very prolific and both on this tree together :-)
Wow!!
Beautiful caterpillar! I like the 2-for-1 in the final image. :-)
Wonderful spot Martin!
Thanks Jakubko and MayraSpringmann
Fascinating!
Absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing this awesome spotting, Martin!!!
Argy Bee. That is another species called the four spotted cupmoth http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/888... I found about 50 of these today over many trees (Mitcham) and collected a few hopefully for a better pic and to compare the cup, and moth which I have never seen yet. The early instar is this one http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/183...
Hi Martin.. pic#3, background, is that another instar or another species?
Thanks Yuko, Kelly and Rieko.
This one has everted its spines more fully than any one I've seen. Once they calm down they don't react as strongly again.
Beautiful moth. So colorful. Very nice.
Nice. Looks like fireworks!
Gorgeous moth! Looks like a firework party is going on!!