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Painted Pine Moth Caterpillar
Orgyia australis
-27.4494, 153.101
Field Notes
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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