Larvae of the pink underwing moth

This exceptional specimen is the larvae of the pink underwing moth, a rare caterpillar only found in the Australian rainforest. Is for certain Nature’s one of the most remarkable Halloween costumes.   Image credit: Luis Weber   Used with permission.

The larvae of the pink underwing moth are characterized by a set of two large ‘eye’ spots surrounded by smaller white spots and a double row of white ‘teeth’ on the side between the eye spots.

This endangered specie was photographed by Ecologist Luis Weber.

The Pink Underwing Mot:

has a brown and black body and brown legs. The forewings are about 60 mm in length, coloured in grey-brown and have white markings. The hindwings are dark grey with a small pink dots and seven white spots along the trailing edge.

When at rest the moth resembles a dead leaf.

Larvae of the pink underwing mothImage credit: Luis Weber

Larvae of the pink underwing mothImage credit: Luis Weber

Phyllodes imperialis   Female, dorsal viewPhyllodes imperialis   Female, dorsal view   Image credit: wikipedia

Australia world map

 

source environment.gov.au