Calcarifera ordinata (Wattle Cup Caterpillar Moth)

[Hairyman]

WARNING: Painful sting from caterpillar hairs.

Scientific Name: Calcarifera ordinata

Common Name(s): Wattle Cup Caterpillar Moth

Other Names: Spitfire (generic)

Class: Inseta

Order: Insecta

Family: Limacodidae

Tribe: Undetremined

Genus: Calcarifera

Species: C. ordinata

Distribution: Northern Australia

Habitat: On or near suitable food plants. Some Acacia, Jacksonia, Phoenix, Leptosperm, Citrus,
Rosa and Atalaya species.

Field Notes: Adult moth, wingspan app 30mm.
Creamy brown with white dots on forewings.
Caterpillars striking yellow, blue and orange to 30mm lenght. Tufts of stinging hairs on body.
Forms silk coccoon on leaf.

Sources: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcarifera_ordinata
Brisbane Insects http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisb.../WattleCup.htm

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Photos by Hairyman

[XT John]

WOW, I'd love to find him after dropping some acid!

[Hairyman]

'Psychedelic' was the first word that popped into my mind when I found him too!
Glad I didnt pick him up though, the sting from the hairs is said to be worse than from wasps.