Mullein moth caterpillar. (1 Viewer)

[fender]

Hello all, we've been having visits from the moths recently, and so took the opportunity to get a few pic's(one of which shows my dear wife's hand, complete with the green gunge that the grub kept squirting on her!)
regards Phil.

 

[harry eales]

Hello all, we've been having visits from the moths recently, and so took the opportunity to get a few pic's(one of which shows my dear wife's hand, complete with the green gunge that the grub kept squirting on her!)
regards Phil.

Hello Phil,

The green 'gunge' is undigested food that a good many larva use as a defence measure, when they think they are possibly in danger. It's harmless to humans although it may smell unpleasant. In some species, i.e. The Puss Moth, the larva can squirt this fluid in a jet for about two feet. Not very nice if it hits you in the eye, especially if it contains some of the digestive acid juices. Biological weapons are not new, the insects have been using them for millions of years.

Harry

 

[fender]

Hello Phil,

The green 'gunge' is undigested food that a good many larva use as a defence measure, when they think they are possibly in danger. It's harmless to humans although it may smell unpleasant. In some species, i.e. The Puss Moth, the larva can squirt this fluid in a jet for about two feet. Not very nice if it hits you in the eye, especially if it contains some of the digestive acid juices. Biological weapons are not new, the insects have been using them for millions of years.

Harry

Hello Harry, thanks for that, i realised the squirting was used in defence, must remember to keep a good two feet, between the next Puss Moth larva and me!
All the best, Phil.

 

[Denis]

I've been amazed at how quickly these larva can grow - I've got a couple of them in a pot here and I swear they're doing 3-5mm per day!

Denis