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Orgyia sp.
Orgyia Ochsenheimer, 1810, of the Lymantriidae family, commonly referred to as Tussock Moths. The Tussock Moths are so-named because the caterpillars have four long dense dorsal tufts of hair, many hair pencils, and also two colored dorsal glands on abdominal segments six and seven. These glands appear to exude a liquid which deters ants from attacking the larvae.
Backyard, spotted eating a leaf of an ornamental palm plant.
Reference for Philipine sp Orgyia osseata: http://www.mothsofborneo.com/part-5/orgy... ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/sci/bio/life/insecta/lepidoptera/ditrysia/noctuoidea/lymantriidae/orgyia/index.html
Spotted on Aug 8, 2013
Submitted on Aug 11, 2013
4 Comments
http://insects.about.com/od/photography/...
"Judged by looks alone, these fuzzy caterpillars seem harmless, but touch them with a bare finger and you'll feel you've been pricked by fiberglass. A few species, like the Brown-tail, will leave you with a persistent and painful rash." :)
:) Tina, I did not dare touch it :)
Great series and information! Is it toxic, or could you cuddle with it? haha
Thank you, Marta :)