Meet the venomous mottled cup moth caterpillar Australian Geographic

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

The adult moth has a dark brown body with light brown, mottled wings that are about 4 cm across. The Painted Cup Moth Doratifera oxleyi is common in central New South Wales and its caterpillars may be found in great numbers feeding on the leaves of the Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). The caterpillars are green, with a skirt of fleshy spikes.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Susica sinensis, Limacodidae) "Torpedo" a photo on

1 Remove the caterpillar without touching it. If the caterpillar is still on your skin, use pliers, tweezers, or thick gloves to pick up the caterpillar and remove it. Never try to remove the caterpillar with your bare hands because it can sting you again. [1] Caterpillar stings come from their tiny spines that look like hairs.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, possibly Hyphorma sp., Limacodidae) "Carrot Top" a

Several techniques may soothe the pain and burning caused by puss moth caterpillar stings. Washing the sting with soap and water and using a hair dryer set on low to dry the area. Putting tape on the site and pulling it off to remove embedded hairs to prevent further injury. Applying isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to the sting.

Early instar Stinging Nettle Cup Moth Caterpillar (perhaps… Flickr

October 13, 2023 by Bugman, Piyushi Dhir Slug caterpillars can easily catch your attention due to their exquisite appearance. Contrary to their name, these creatures are not actually slugs but rather the larvae stage of certain moth species.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Mahanta sp., L… Flickr

The Limacodidae or Eucleidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea; [2] the placement is in dispute. They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs. [3] They are also called cup moths because of the shape of their cocoons. [3]

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

Cup Moth larvae are often highly ornamented and brightly colored. Two main types can be distinguished: larvae armed with rows of protuberances bearing stinging spines called nettle caterpillars, or non-spined forms where the surface of the larvae may by completely smooth, called gelatin caterpillars.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

The mottled cup moth caterpillars have bright warning colours to advertise their venom to predators: they are typically green, red or brown in appearance. The venoms used by animals as.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

Doratifera vulnerans, commonly known as the mottled cup moth, Australian cup moth or Chinese Junk (referring to its caterpillar), is a species of cup moth of the family Limacodidae. [1] The species was first described by John Lewin in 1805 and is the type species of the genus Doratifera. [2] It is found in Australia.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Phlossa sp., L… Flickr

They are called cup moths because of the cup-like shape of the cocoons when missing their lids after adults emerge; the other common names (see above) refer to the distinctive and often painfully urticating caterpillars. In Australia we have about 70 species.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Phlossa sp., L… Flickr

This caterpillar not only eats leaves on trees and shrubs, but it is a member of a small group of caterpillars whose skin is covered with stinging spines attached to venom glands, which if they touch your skin can cause a nasty rash and deliver a terrible sting inducing immediate pain, severe itching, swelling, and redness.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "Inkblot" a photo on Flickriver

The mottled cup moth belongs to the cup moth Family Limacodidae, so-called because they build cup-like cocoons that look just like gum nuts. The caterpillars are nicknamed spitfires and warships, for obvious reasons. Funnily enough, not all caterpillars of Limacodidae moths look like our spiny friend, who is of the 'stinging nettle' variety.

Meet the venomous mottled cup moth caterpillar Australian Geographic

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

Cup moths are Australian insects that feed on eucalyptus foliage. Voracious feeders, a single cup moth caterpillar can make short work of an entire eucalyptus leaf, and a severe infestation can defoliate a tree. The tree generally recovers unless this happens several years in a row.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Darna sp., Lim… Flickr

The mottled cup moth caterpillar (. is a common culprit of caterpillar envenomations in Australia. The binomial name of this species etymologically means 'bearer of painful gifts.'. Doratifera vulnerans caterpillars are endowed with venomous spines. Like all members of the genus , the groups of large venom spines are retracted at rest and.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Limacodidae) "… Flickr

When a puss moth caterpillar rubs or is pressed against skin, venomous hairs become embedded. Envenomation causes intense throbbing pain, burning, and a rash with erythematous spots. More susceptible patients can experience swelling, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, lymphadenopathy, lymphadenitis, shock, and respiratory distress.

Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Griseothosea s… Flickr

Mottled Cup Moth caterpillars are pale brown in colour, the bright warning colours white, pink and yellow in the middle. They show their stinging hairs when disturbed. Mottled Cup Caterpillar is also known as Chinese Junk because of their shape and their way of moving like ship at sea.. Cocoon diameter 8mm