caterpillar of the pale tussock moth by GiMi53

Photography • Macro • posted on Jul 02, 2008

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Description

The caterpillars of the Pale Tussock moth are rather distinctive and so, should make these caterpillars relatively easy to identify during the summer to early autumn. Pale to bright yellow or greenish yellow in colour, and up to 40mm long when fully grown, these caterpillars possess sometimes quite thickly tufted hair projecting from the sides and top of their body, with a longer red-orange horn-like structure at the tail end of the body. Black bands separate the yellow segments of the body and get progressively thinner from head to tail. These black bands become more obvious if the caterpillar curls up. Overall, this conspicuous appearance is a clear indication to predators that the caterpillars should not be eaten! Feeding on a wide variety of trees and shrubs, the Pale Tussock caterpillar is frequently found in gardens. The caterpillars have been referred to as “hop dogs” because they were frequently encountered in hop fields before the widespread use of insecticides. Taken from www.butterfly-conservation.org Thank you very much for your comments+ favs on my previous upload :

"Map caterpillar"

Comments (22)

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Janiss

11:11AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Je la vois avancer...!... çà, c'est de la macro au sens le plus noble du terme... bravo et zibous Michel!

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Apophis906

11:15AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Wow such a very cool guy and shot, awesome work.

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artaddict2

11:20AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Oh wow I've certainly not seen such a caterpillar, what a wonderful specimen ! great macro!

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Cytisus

11:52AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Superb capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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durleybeachbum

11:53AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Brilliant! another I have not seen before!

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virginiese

11:55AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Superbe macro ! Beau cadrage et de très belles couleurs pour cette chenill ! Bravo

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timtripp

11:56AM | Wed, 02 July 2008

marvelous image!

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Laelia

12:54PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Superbe ! on la dirait vrai en train de bouger Belle prise q:)

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tetsu-pino

1:12PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Very beautiful color and splendid POV!!

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awjay

1:17PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

wonderful shot

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Fidelity2

1:32PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

This is an excellent image. 5+.

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gizmo563

2:38PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Excellent shot, love the vibrant yellow

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amirapsp

2:55PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Here is we walk on one, it burns a heck of alot. Great take...Hugs

vlaaitje

4:32PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

wow, this is cool......excellent details

MrsLubner

5:19PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

the colors here work so well together. Lovely macro.

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babuci

6:12PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Fantastic series, truly unique shots.

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skyla824

7:42PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

outstanding macro work..this is by far one of your best works...

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GBCalls

7:47PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Excellent photo!

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Leeco

10:42PM | Wed, 02 July 2008

Marvelous image of a very pretty caterpillar. We do not have that species where I live but we have many cousins. It seems almost all the Tussock moths have similar distinctive markings and forms. I am really enjoying your recent great caterpillar images.The subjects are beautiful and interesting and the image quality is consistently excellent. Thanks for sharing. Lee

bebert

2:05PM | Thu, 03 July 2008

très belles couleurs !!

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