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Caterpillar in a Tube

Hemibela sp.

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

Caterpillars of the Hemibela genus make a tube from a single twig for protection as they grow. They make a new tube as they grow and even pupate within it. Tube was about 16mm long.

Habitat:

Dry sclerophyll eucalyptus forest.

Notes:

This one was found attached to an acacia.
Australian insect. The glue must be very good.
I love the neatly chamfered end.

Reference Links:

Hemibela callista, Caterpillar in tube - Hemibela sp.,

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Mark Ridgway
You're right animaisfotos the second reference is the one to read. Thanks for the comments.
Mark Ridgway
'Is it real' is exactly how I felt animaisfotos. I read about them a day earlier then went for a walk into the nearby forest and couldn't believe my eyes when I found it. It's real alright - the chamfering around the end is typical and it is so small I couldn't make one if I tried. :)
animaisfotos
Is it real? The second reference link helped me to better understand. Very ingenious moth. At first sight it looks like a more ordinary (if it exists) spotting, but after reading about it: Great capture. Great great capture. Thanks for sharing.
Atul
cool spotting!!

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Photographed
PublishedDecember 14, 2011

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