Hairy but cute

PIETER BROERE from Pretoria writes: I found this caterpillar in my garden. I would like to know what species it is and why it has a pink spot on its back – at first I thought it might be a parasite of some kind, but up close it looks like tufts of pink hairs.

Entomologist DUNCAN MACFADYEN says: This is a tussock moth caterpillar belonging to the family Lymantriidae. The caterpillars are typically hairy, with these prominent tufts of hairs, or tussocks, on the back. The adult is a medium-sized moth with a characteristic reduced proboscis, feathery antennae, and broad white, cream or yellow wings. The pink tufts are some form of defence mechanism. Contact with larvae or the barbed hairs of the adults can cause skin irritation. They often spread the tufts apart when disturbed in order to make themselves look puffed up and larger.

Sadly, many of these caterpillars are parasitized by braconid wasps. The caterpillar usually dies from its unwanted guests and only a small percentage makes it through without being killed. Those that do pupate, incorporate larval hairs into the cocoon. It’s a beautiful and unique creature.