I do NOT think that because they are on the same foodplant, that we can assume they are all the same species, especially image3, the red one. I think different specimens should be different sightings, so that we can assess each separately, because many differences are subtle, and yet some variability is substantial. These need to be taken into account. It would be good for example, to rear the red one, and see whether the larva of P. pusilla is this variable, or whether the red caterpillar is actually a related species.
I will separate the photos and I will see if I can find the caterpillars again tomorrow. I have only managed to rear one moth so far. It takes a lot of time and I expect my time is better spent on the photos but I will try with this one.
Of the approximately 10,000 named and described moth species in Australia, only about 1,000 have known life histories. I suggest that documenting life histories of more species is of greater scientific value than taking more photos of well documented adult moths.
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