A caterpillar with a face resembling a cartoon-like skull has caused a stir online with many stunned to discover the unusual creature is actually real.
The extraordinary specimen spotted in Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast, Queensland, is the larvae of one of Australia's most threatened species - the endangered Pink Underwing Moth.
Potential breeding habitat is restricted to areas where the caterpillar's food plant, a native rainforest vine, Carronia multisepalea, occurs in subtropical rainforest.
Adult Southern Pink Underwing Moths require the low light conditions of the rainforest in order to breed.
The extraordinary specimen spotted in Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast, Queensland, is the larvae of one of Australia's most threatened species - the endangered Pink Underwing Moth.
In NSW it is known to occur in a small number of localities from the QLD border to Wardell, and there is a disjunct population in the Bellingen area.
The rare caterpillar is characterised by a set of teeth-like markings set between two dark spots that resemble eyes with large pupils.
In an effort to deter predators the caterpillar will arch its 12cm long back to reveal a pair of frightening spots that resemble a sunken cartoon skull.
During their 'startle display' strategy the larvae will lunge at predators including birds and spiders to scare them away.
The rare caterpillar is characterised by a set of teeth-like markings set between two dark spots that resemble eyes with large pupils.
In an effort to deter predators the caterpillar will arch its 12cm long back to reveal a pair of frightening spots that resemble a sunken cartoon skull.
During their 'startle display' strategy the larvae will lunge at predators including birds and spiders to scare them away.
The Southern Pink Underwing Moth (Phyllodes imperialis smithersi) is named for the brilliant pink patches on its dark hindwing (which also have eight white spots on the trailing edge).
The grey/brown forewings are approximately 6cm long with white spots on the underside. When at rest the moth resembles a dead leaf.
Young caterpillars are dull brown. However, as they mature they develop a dramatic 'head' display when alarmed: two large 'eye' spots and a double row of white 'teeth'.
The pupal stage is a bronze-coloured 5cm case consisting of silk and leaves surrounded by metallic brown bands.
Once the caterpillar has grown into a moth it resembles dead brown eucalyptus leaves, with its brown forewings extending out to 6cm when at rest.
The grey/brown forewings are approximately 6cm long with white spots on the underside. When at rest the moth resembles a dead leaf.
Young caterpillars are dull brown. However, as they mature they develop a dramatic 'head' display when alarmed: two large 'eye' spots and a double row of white 'teeth'.
The pupal stage is a bronze-coloured 5cm case consisting of silk and leaves surrounded by metallic brown bands.
Once the caterpillar has grown into a moth it resembles dead brown eucalyptus leaves, with its brown forewings extending out to 6cm when at rest.
The Southern Pink Underwing Moth is found in subtropical rainforest below about 600 m elevation.
Potential breeding habitat is restricted to areas where the caterpillar's food plant, a native rainforest vine, Carronia multisepalea, occurs in subtropical rainforest.
Adult Southern Pink Underwing Moths require the low light conditions of the rainforest in order to breed.
Music: Summer Of 1984 - RKVC
Source: Daily Mail, NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage, Pexels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
Source: Daily Mail, NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage, Pexels
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews
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