What a glorious looking creature! I saw him or her scooting along the outdoor barbecue grill. So many colors, shapes and textures in one lone little creature a little over an inch long.
Update: Wow -- it leads to a brown moth...white-marked tussock moth AND it's quite toxic (thanks Ann for the latter info).
Really incredible! I've seen pictures of a moth like this before so looked it up...I think it's some kind of tussock moth. Sort of a critter built by committee.
What an interesting looking caterpillar - looks scary enough to ward off lots of predators. If it didn't move you wouldn't know which way was up and which was front and back.
Great shot- all the Tussock moths have those spikey hairs- and they're all toxic! I'm pretty sure you just photographed him but should you see another don't, touch it. They really are quite photogenic because they look so crazy. This is a really nice shot- he's even looking at you!
@taffy Once in a while I find the White Tussock Moth caterpillars on some of my plants out front- fun to photograph but would never touch it- it just looks like those spikes could pierce you!
(definately friends with the hungry caterpillar I think :-) - thanks for your comment on my photo... the twins are so big aren't they... they suddenly aren't my babies anymore. Fiercely independent little people who talk non stop all day long!
