You’ve never seen a bug like this before: Endangered caterpillar shocks the internet with its cartoon-like face
- Bizarre caterpillar has stunned the internet with its cartoon-like skull
- Larvae found in Currumbin QLD belong to endangered Pink Underwing Moth
- The caterpillar will arch it’s teeth-like markings to predators when threatened
A bizarre caterpillar with a face resembling a cartoon-like skull has caused a stir online with many stunned to discover the unusual creature is actually real.
The extraordinary specimen spotted in Currumbin Valley on the Gold Coast, Queensland, is the larvae of one of Australia’s most threatened species – the endangered Pink Underwing Moth.
The rare caterpillar is characterised by a set of teeth-like markings set between two dark spots that resemble eyes with large pupils.
A bizarre caterpillar has stunned the internet because it resembles a cartoon-like skull in Queensland
The unusual creature is the larvae of the endangered Pink Underwing Moth
In an effort to deter predators the caterpillar will arch its 12cm long back to reveal a pair of frightening spots that resemble a sunken cartoon skull.
During their ‘startle display’ strategy the larvae will lunge at predators including birds and spiders to scare them away.
Once the caterpillar has grown into a moth it resembles dead brown eucalyptus leaves, with its brown forewings extending out to 6cm when at rest.
The caterpillar will arch it’s 12cm long back to reveal a pair of frightening spots that resemble a sunken cartoon skull
The startling images of the bizarre caterpillar posted to Outdoors Queensland has confused the internet, with many in disbelief over the insect.
‘The new face of your nightmares,’ one woman wrote on Facebook.
‘Although I think this is really cool. It looks like something you’d find in a horror show,’ another said.
Others compared the larvae to the creatures in Ridley Scott’s science fiction movie ‘Aliens vs Predator’: ‘The aliens have finally landed… is that the spawn?’.
The moth resembles dead brown eucalyptus leaves with its brown forewings extending out to 6cm when rested (pictured)