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Emperor gum moth (larva)

Austrocaligula eucalypti

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

12mm long yellow and black body with yellow tufts and an enlarged rear end shiny black with dramatic red tufts, white markings yellow tufts and some white hairs.

Habitat:

Eucalyptus leaf. Several different types of eucalyptus. Ranges from north Queensland to Tasmania on the east coast of Australia.

Notes:

Pic #2 the tail looks a little bit like a ceremonial chinese dragon head.
These caterpillars get quite large and very colorful. They can become as thick as an adult finger and maybe 100mm long.
This could be the same creature 10 days later... http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/8703746 and here is the first instar http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/16214419

Reference Links:

Opodiphthera eucalypti

Species ID Suggestions

Emperor moth

Opodiphthera eucalypti

Reference Link
MartinL
1

Comments (4)
Mark Ridgway
We'll have to discuss the ethics of this some time martin. I've been trying to leave things as they are in general but I suppose some things have a better chance with a little help. if they are getting scarce I suppose it might be a good thing. (btw I hope you've put holes in the lid :)
MartinL
I have several in a container with gumleaves and will grow them out. This is not difficult. You are most likely to find others on the same branch. Groups are small this year possibly due to it being a good year for parasites. They start life totally black and this is maybe second instar.
Mark Ridgway
Wow thanks martinl. The first one I've ever found. I used to be so envious when kids came to school with one of these in a shoe box full of gum leaves. Not any more !! :)
MartinL
You've got it argybee. This is an early inastar of the emperor gum moth. There's probably a couple of others at the ends of edjacent branches of the same tree. They get this big! http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/7998042

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 20, 2012

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