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Spitfire Caterpillar

Doratifera vulnerans

Photo by DarrenC
Published on Project Noah
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-37.9027, 145.33

Field Notes

Description:

This is the caterpillar of the Mottled Cup Moth, found in Australia, and raises those little spikes to defend itself and yes they sting.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (65)

Indeed Darren, it should be under the waves, thank you for this.
They are the strangest looking things Rob
Simply in awe! As MC Hammer would say ''U Can't Touch This''
Thanks ColtMoony and Mark
Looks kinda like a saddle back caterpillar I had a bad encounter with
BESTIAAAAA!!!! CHUZOOOOO!!!! BEAST!!! WOW!!!!
never seen anything like that!!
Woah... This is one wild caterpillar. It almost looks like a nudibranch, imo. I would love to see one in real life.
I really believe the part that you said it stings because I have been stung before by a DEAD one. At least now I learnt that some animals will still be dangerous even though they are dead.
I think it might be Martin
Darren, this is the end result of your caerpillar. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7962916
Thanks DarrenC... you're just up the road so I'm keeping my peepers open a bit more now. Good one.
"मन करता है कि इसकी सुंदरता को जी भरकर निहारूँ!" -- "I want to see it's beauty for a long period!"
thanks for all the fave's
Thanks Amber Burns, it was sat on my wifes car, she always parks it under a big gum tree at our place, so i presume it fell out of there.. I used to see a lot of them around years ago, when i was a kid, but havent seen one in about 15 years or so
One word SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where ever did you find it!!!!!!!!!!
thanks hookgv, hehehe I guess it does look like leggo :-)
Unbelieveable....looks like a piece of leggo !
thanks LoriPinelCoulombe, I have only been on here about a week myself, it seems like a great site, looking forward to seeing some of your photos.. Thank you very much LisaGrant and bluevizion
Looks extra terrestrial! Very cool photo.
Very but Australia is renowned for strange things, well when you look through the windows from Canada! We have some weird things here too, but never as much as Australia! Keep up the awesome work, I just found this site and I am afraid I will be here awhile! Hoping to put some of our finds up too!! Have a great day and will look forward to seeing more of your finds!
thanks LoriPinelCoulombe, it is walking, so you are looking at its back.. strange arn't they :-)
Looking at this picture, was that the underside of it, or is it walking? That is on your wifes car? All I can say is wow, awesome pic and your wife's car makes an awesome backdrop for nature's pictures hahaha! Thank you for sharing your pictures, you are truly very talented!
wow, amazing! Thanks for this great picture!!
absolutely absolutely brilliant :))
they sure are strange looking, pleased you liked it
Wow! Nature never fails to surprise. Looks like a strange, colorful, weird work of art.
thank you very much for the "Spotting of the day" :-)

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