@loopy12 - even without looking at my Butterfly book, I'm leaning towards a caterpillar of a Moth and Moths have me stumped a little. If I get a spare moment over the weekend, I'll take a look. In the meantime @robv might want to have a look-see.
@bobfoto That is a Sawfly larva, a primitive member of the Hymenoptera and considered to be the ancestral group to bees wasps and ants. Looks like one of the tailed sawflies, I can't hazard a guess as to which one.
@robv - Now that you mention and especially with that tail in the air, then yes, I can see what you are saying. Thank you Robert, I am forever humbled.
@robv - Oh cool... just making some notes. The real common sawfly larvae here are the black ones that hang out in a clump in Eucalyptus trees and squirt the stinky stuff when aggravated. So I is always keen to learn more about the 6 paired sawfly guys!
@bobfoto@robv
Thanks for taking the time to look & comment in the first place! I don't mind, not at all, don't understand most of it but is interesting all the same! =D
@loopy12 - the grub you have will not turn into a b'fly or a moth but a wasp. They can be destructive if they are in large numbers and the tree is young, but if their numbers are low and your gum tree is mature, then they are just part of the cycle of life.
@bobfoto thank you! cycle of life it is then... it was a lonely bug on a very big, mature tree so I think we'll be safe for now... as long as he doesn't invite all his friends ;D
@loopy12 - they sometimes for protection will clump together and sit in a big bunch. When birds come, they will rear up and spray a smelly liquid into the air. It smells of eucalyptus oil. At night they sometimes will wander down the tree and along the ground, and in the morning return to the branches up high.
posted May 13th, 2012
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http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/32914/Number_8__Spitfires_-_defoliating_sawflies.pdf
Sounds like something kids would enjoy poking with a stick and then waving in a friends face. Ahhh, the good old days. The day I stop learning is the day I may as well stop living. Learn on dude, learn on.........
Thanks for taking the time to look & comment in the first place! I don't mind, not at all, don't understand most of it but is interesting all the same! =D