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Painted Pine Moth Caterpillar

Orgyia australis

Description:

The Painted Pine Moth Caterpillar (aka White Spotted Tussock Moth Caterpillar) has the typical Tussock Moth Caterpillar look. Its head is bright red in colour. They are hairy, with four distinct tussocks of hair on their back which makes them look like a toothbrush. The hair can cause skin irritation. This was the only specimen I found on the tree. Quite an attractive specimen, it was only about 2 - 2.5cms in length.

Habitat:

Common in the Brisbane area, they feed on a variety of plants including gum, wattle, camellia, mangrove, grevillea, and as their name implies, pine.

Notes:

>>>>> Photo #3 shows the same caterpillar the following day. Its colour has darkened, and it has also been joined by a little mate. Each caterpillar seems to be held in place by a single silk thread. >>>>> Photo #4 and yet another day, and both caterpillars have now cocooned. Hopefully I will get to see what emerges.

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3 Comments

Neil Ross
Neil Ross 6 years ago

Thank you. I was really happy to see his little friend roll up the following day.

Christine Y.
Christine Y. 6 years ago

Nice!

maplemoth662
maplemoth662 6 years ago

A beautiful caterpillar....

Neil Ross
Spotted by
Neil Ross

Brisbane, QLD, Australia

Spotted on Jul 1, 2014
Submitted on Jul 1, 2014

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