What's This?

[Outbackrr]

Found this pupa under decking, haven't seen anything like it before.

Extensive web search only yielded a photo of the same thing titled 'Unknown pupa, Vietnam.

Any clues?

[frog's wife]

That's super nifty that one. Ring the entomology department at your local university they'll tell you quick smart.

The outside cocoon....is that made with hair of dog?


Fascinating. Do keep us posted.


Sonja

[tea lady]

Wow. Looks like a sculpture. Also looks like he got tired half way through making his cacoon. I don't know what it is though. Maybe you could email image to zoo or insect department of a uni. I can't remember the technical term for insect department though. Lot of letters. I know that.

[tea lady]

Entomology! That's it.

[Outbackrr]

Good ideas, I've emailed the pic to the curator of the insect collection at QLD Uni. Let's see what they say.

Don't know if it's dog hair, but sure is a well made fly screen.

Photo on left is the one I found, the other is the Vietnam one.

[Andy Mac]

I've never seen anything like it! Keep us posted when you get it identified.

Cheers

[tea lady]

Guess a fly screen is all you need if you are a butterfly on the tropics. Like sleeping under a mozzi net. Sure don't need a blanket.

[frog's wife]

You could always try www.whatsthatbug.com (http://www.whatsthatbug.com)

I'm sure the members would love to see it and have a crack at identifying it.


I'm absolutely fascinated and cant wait to see what it is.


Sonja

[manoftalent]

saw something similar a long time ago ....dont quote me but if my memory serves ...it was a basket moth?

[Ruddigar]

dont quote me

Oops. Sorry. :-

[Sleeping Dog]

hey, i found one of those last weekend at my place... never seen one before.

[DavidG]

Bumelia Webworm Moth ????????

[Outbackrr]

No reply from the Uni, so did some more Googling.

This seems to be the culprit - Anestia ombrophanes. Common Name: Clouded Footman

http://linus.it.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/arct/ombroph.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tapperboy/101408341/

Most interesting thing is that the caterpillar builds the net out of it's own hairs. Would like to see that process happening.

[tea lady]

The photos on the links look amazing. It says they can be found through most of southern aus. Will have to go out and have a look on my trees. I wonder if they like certain trees.

[Bleedin Thumb]

-

Most interesting thing is that the caterpillar builds the net out of it's own hairs. Would like to see that process happening.


I could knit a singlet out of my own chest hair....but I choose not to.:)

[tea lady]

I could knit a singlet out of my own chest hair....but I choose not to.:)

We are all glad for small mercies.:D

[Outbackrr]

That would be the aussie version of the proverbial hair shirt?:)

TL, don't know what trees they prefer, but found two more pupa on the wheel rim of my trailer and another under decking - getting to be common around here.

[tea lady]

From the link you had, they said that the female moth doesn't have wings so stays where she "hatched" (what's the word for came out of her cocoon?) Males flutter off to spreed the joy I guess. So if you have them in a area they should be around there all the time. I'll go and check the deck seeing that seems to be what they like at your place.:D