Bioblitz report
Lassiocampidae (Eggar moth): the
name gave me no indication of the visual impact of the prehistoric animated Cuban cigar with
highlights in its hollow venom spears that Malik found wrapped around a pod
mahogany branch on Macaneta. I have seen a fair number of forgettable
caterpillars but this one …
Speaking from a complete lack of
experimental evidence. A carefully planned lack, I might add. I can say that
this creature is not something one would want to mess with, physical contact with
those spines can cause a type of histamine release and dermatitis called
Lepidopterism.
Toxins from the hairs are likely
to spill out if broken off, and these moths are prone to lash about forcing
hairs into the skin if they feel threatened. People who are allergic to the
toxins are in for a torrid time.
The weird name “Eggar” moth is
derived from the egg shaped cocoon of some species of which there are over 2000
kinds on earth (some as yet undiscovered). Maybe the caterpillar should be
called the animated victorian moustache. You never know what you are going to
find out there, that’s what makes exploration time in the bush so cool.
Len
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