Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Mottled cupmoth larva & pupa

Doratifera vulnerans

Photo by MartinL
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-37.7974, 145.281

Field Notes

Description:

An extroverted caterpillar with stinging spines everted to defend against curious predators and photographers. This larvae is beside a pupa and will soon pupate itself. This 'slug' caterpillar does not have true legs (pic 5) and an early instar (pic 6) was noticed nearby.

Reference Links:

Mottled Cup Moth - Doratifera vulnerans

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (18)
MartinL
Thank you Pam Thanks you Saumya These are sometimes quite common in summer and campers are aware not to sit too close to branches for fear of brushing up against them.
pamsai
great series martini... thanks
MartinL
Thanks PunkusArnett Yes, I think they are alien
MartinL
Thanks Leanne, ceherzog and Mayra
LeanneGardner
That's a double wow from me! These are so awsome :)
MartinL
Thank you Antonio. Thank you Jakubko sorry for the typo :(
AntónioGinjaGinja
Wow,this one is awesome ,great Martinl,congrats and thanks for sharing
MartinL
Thanks Maria and Courtney and Jacubko. This one actually stung me as I brushed my hand while moving another branch aside. It stung strongly for a few moments and the pain was gone quickly :) I collected the pupa and hope to click the moth again this season.
Jacob Gorneau
Spectacular caterpillar, Martin! Thank you so much for sharing and adding to my mission, "Moths of the World!"
Maria dB
Very nice series; the "spiky" caterpillars are always so interesting to see.
MartinL
Thank you Argy Bee and Reza
Mark Ridgway
That's a nice colour set Martin. Interesting some are pupating there as this little guy has a few more days yet to go? One thing that impressed me last season was how all specimens on one tree cupped at the same time.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Moths of the World
Mission
Caterpillars and larvae of the World

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 23, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies