Nick Trollope Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Found in the garden, about 6cm long. When approached, threatens me with its obviously phoney snake eyes.[IMG]http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd303/NickTrollope/2007_0915_Fuji_S6500fd_0003.jpg[/IMG]I guess it is the larval stage of something.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 It's a hawk moth caterpillar....( I think!!)Nice find!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Elephant hawk-moth, I hope.[:)]Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardian Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Looks a bit like 'ET'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Trollope Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks for that both.I assume that the "eyes" were in the "wrong" end and that it is a defense mechanism?Went back later & there were 2 of them. Scares the wotsits out of Tina.....& Chris, why the hope? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris pp Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 ""& Chris, why the hope?""Errr, I was trying to sound as though I could be wrong? Or I was having an insecure moment? Or I was a bit rushed and trying to make the post just a little bit longer?Anyway, the "eyes" are at the front end and you are correct to assume that it's a defense mechanism as it inflates that part of its anatomy when disturbed to try and appear more threatening.Lucky you anyway, the moth is very attractive, John (Jon) put a photo of one on here not so long ago.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonzjob Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 From what I have read and seen Chris it gets it's name from the caterpillar. When it's at ease, not threatened, it has a probiscus similar to an elephant's trunk, but when it feels threatened it draws it's 'trunk' back into it's head and forms that 'big eyed look', as Chris said, to make it's self look more threatening. The moths are beautiful, brown and pink stripes.I will never get used to just how wonderful the insect life is down here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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