Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Seed mimicking caterpillars
Uraba lugens
-37.9542, 145.244
Field Notes
Description:
From a short distance I thought this was a bunch of seeds on a grass stem. Close inspection revealed a cluster of Uraba lugens caterpillars faking it. I have never seen this type of behaviour from them... similar to sawfly clustering. They have 'grown' some 'hats' so they must have been feeding on eucalyptus leaves somewhere nearby but they would have needed to descend from this dry plant, cross open ground, and climb a gum tree. ??
Habitat:
In a local nature reserve on a stem of last years annual weeds (possibly a Daucus carota stem)
Notes:
Often called the 'Gum leaf skeletoniser' and 'Hatted caterpillars' When a bit bigger than these, they build tall 'hats' out of old, loose scales from moulting, possibly as a distraction to potential threats.. http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7917337 <br>
The adult moth can be seen here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/225206041 <br>
Still to research this behaviour.
Comments (6)