Scientific name: Doratifera vulnerans
Distribution
Found throughout Australia
Identification:
Caterpillar
20 mm in length and is board, thick, and short. It is bright and colourful; the body is light purple with light green edges on the sides with patches of yellow with black edges on the dorsal “saddle”. It has four red spiny projections on both the anterior and posterior ends. The anterior end is stouter than the posterior.
Moth
It has a body length of 18 mm and a wingspan of 40 mm. It is dark brown in colour and has mottled forewings with a pale grey terminal area and indistinct grey spots. The hindwings are light brown.
Behaviour
The caterpillar does not expose its hairs unless it is agitated or disturbed. It eats Eucalyptus, Melaleuca, guava, and apricot leaves. It is commonly found in large parts of south-east Queensland and is routinely found in Toohey Forest Park in Brisbane’s southside.
Danger
The hairs can cause intense stings and irritation when they touch the skin due to toxins.