What caterpillar is that?

It looks like ahat we used to call spitfires in Melbourne, I was horrified when I moved to Canberra and came across the black, group moving variety.

timeeh said :

I think you’ll find that spitfires are a much smaller grub that generally gather in a bunch and hide on gumtrees, and when annoyed they spit stuff at you.

Oh yes, and smaller, but you didn’t tend to think about individual size when confronted with a whole group crossing the footpath in front of you! Impressive sight.

What a fantastic critter!
What we called spitfires were black and always moved in big groups.

I think you’ll find that spitfires are a much smaller grub that generally gather in a bunch and hide on gumtrees, and when annoyed they spit stuff at you. And as for touching the hairy caterpillars, did it once as a kid, will never do it again…. It itches for days fom what i remember…

Yeah I thought as kids we called them spitfires too. I’m guessing from the pain the spines can cause.

A few of them be munching away on my grape vines at present. But the vines are growing fast enough to not be bothered…
Good to be warned about the prickles though. Thanks RA.

a spitfire

I remember as a child, our dog touched one of their cocoons with his nose and howled with pain. Then he pawed at his face for about 10 minutes. We had a gum tree in the yard and had heaps of them. I used to throw them over the neighbours fence lol

ThatUniStudent said :

Sure enough, from this time last year: http://region.com.au/what-be-this-dragon/35131
Such short memories we have.

+1

A similar thought entered my head – “wasn’t this asked here last year”.

Sounds like JB had a fairly massive new year’s party and has dissolved a few memory cells! 😉

Sure enough, from this time last year: http://region.com.au/what-be-this-dragon/35131
Such short memories we have.