On a trip through the bush I came across one which was alive with these caterpillars.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyii3MpRI5PkgZloO-mFy3-XnbP1kJs-oQhiDIklyCLL4XCmjmiOKM7H2LgCq7fRkfU38vrCE5SJeeylQIdtUb82IPTau-Igb_JfFVhxqSI1kukZg2qy29Ie-qwIr6bKWWJ2vDSk7RaTxc/s320/102_1581.jpg)
They are huge as can be seen in the picture with my hand as a measure, about 5 inches and as fat as my thumb.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0glxyPFXEIOuz3TeLvnnbq7_FsyKQAY9DVLBxy6zvAceLaoH-c7xSD_HsoOefhZdVYxmUkED_yZc7pizHsXt2dJuDMyhYBnn9OKXOuAvVVov8Lpmcmq65Iteta8IpML8FPWxFv_M6oHSR/s320/102_1583.jpg)
The color is unmistakable and so easily recognizable.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYO7gX-Aww99xC-_fVWJAC0JEUpS1wVXTf-wQiCbTmHN_39d9mSuDaJ-TwbRbLqYJQm30RkB0QHQ2UWFeHztoK03Axm540bnpyHPuoabvCpdiwe2Hlt-Owy8scQ4VqwQiNVEXdDVDF_s-O/s320/102_1584.jpg)
Outbreaks of these caterpillars can cause defoliation of shrubs.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFHUJASZJYjQZMjzxIvKHvBpSHS2uazMZbBqjHenqKCY6zvddLrLCAqrm6j5eFk444fj0BGeelhLi4WREWGfhF70w0yBkWOoqTT26j61Ih2wTMQDjB0GDMIRZduOWYFBuFE8euSPbS0RQ/s320/IMG_17343.JPG)
As I often find the larvae but not the moth itself, I have brought two home but this takes a long time and the moths will only emerge next summer.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8ebsWxuhN3UgP6RN211AFjas4U5Tx-GzOdUAa0IfJG6ui96gA8_bTsgrBiNcEOdHkif5yOM1xcy4i5iIh87lDNCtkmeLEZqL67JphlJ6RiHP0t9tgZZ3WZy8x-knA-APFZ3hvk3zVXDu/s320/IMG_17347.JPG)
For more information, please click
here as this is a most interesting critter. :)
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