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Euproctis melanosoma
About 2 cms in length. Only one specimen found. What looks like massive eyebrows front and rear (and I had no idea which was which until it started moving). Mass of white spines mid-section on abdomen. Two white spots at rear which are dorsal glands (I believe), and mostly reddish-orange 'velvet-looking' pads surrounded by spines along entire length. Belongs to the family Lymantriidae, and is native to Australia. Found from Tas - Qld.
Spotted on a Lilli Pilli tree (Syzygium luehmannii). The caterpillar pupates in a thin brown cocoon under a leaf or petal of its food plant, although I don't know if this one was actually feeding on these leaves or just passing through.
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