Rusty Tussock Moth Caterpillar

Ann McRae

This is one of the more elaborate caterpillars I've ever seen. No attempt to blend into it's habitat at all. Turns out that it's spines sting. Luckily I didn't try to pick it up, as I only learned that after spending a half hour taking it's portrait!



It dropped onto our lawn tractor so I'd used a blade of grass to move it to this old stump under the bird feeder. It crawled around and around and around for me.



At one point it did this crazy dance, rubbing it's antennae on the bushy tail. Not really sure why, although I'm a bit suspicious it had a minute spider on it.



I later saw same spider lurking:



I don't know if he stung the caterpillar or not but with time it slowed down and eventually hid near the grass.

Teeny little spider, but also very fierce looking:

Lord Vetinari

LOvely captures. That caterpillar does look like it's been thought up by a toothbrush designer.
Brian v.