Scientific name: Doratifera quadriguttata
Distribution
Found in all Australians states except Tasmania.
Identification:
Caterpillar
20 mm in length. Has a pale green body with patterns of black, white, pink, and green markings on its back. It has eight green spikes on each side and a pair of pink spikes on both front and rear ends. It has four hidden red spikes with stinging hairs that will erect with when disturbed.
Moth
It has as wingspan of 30 mm. The body is uniformly brown and each forewing has a row of four black dots (sometimes more).
Behaviour
They feed on stilted mangroves, Kanooka gum tree, evergreen tree (Lophostemon confertus) acaia, and Eucalyptus species.
Danger
The hairs can cause intense stings and irritation when they touch the skin.