Thaumetopoeinae (subfamily)

Bag-shelter Moths, Processionary Caterpillars at Franklin, ACT

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Identification history

Thaumetopoeinae (subfamily)	9 Aug 2020	donhe
Thaumetopoeinae (subfamily)	8 Aug 2020	ibaird
Noctuidae (family)	8 Aug 2020	MichaelMulvaney
Trichiocercus sparshalli	10 Jul 2020	donhe
Unidentified	10 Jul 2020	AlisonMilton

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5 comments

donhe wrote:

10 Jul 2020

Could be Trichiocercus sparshalli.
Which end is the head?
Any chance of a lateral view?

AlisonMilton wrote:

10 Jul 2020

I think you are probably right. I think the head was at the top but it wasn't moving. Not in a good position to get a lateral view but looking at other photos it doesn't look like you could see the legs anyway.

donhe wrote:

10 Jul 2020

I really wanted to see if it had the inter-segmental and head and tail tussocks. You only have to put a leaf in front of it and tickle its bum to get it to walk onto it, to get it into a better position for a lateral photo. Unlike identifying moths, identifying caterpillars is not a passive activity.

AlisonMilton wrote:

10 Jul 2020

Thanks Don. I'll remember that in future.

donhe wrote:

8 Aug 2020

No Noctuidae larvae are that hairy, see http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/noctuidae/noctuidae-cats.html The pattern of tufts is characteristic of Thaumetopoeinae, and their colour is characteristic of Trichiocercus sparshalli.

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