by Rather than throw its old head cases away, the gum leaf skeletonizer wears them like a hat to protect itself from predators.
Gum leaf Skeletoniser (Uraba lugens), Australia and New Zealand.
What it eats: Eucalyptus leaves
The caterpillar of the gum leaf skeletonizer moth is a hairy little creature that keeps its old head capsules and stacks them on its head.
This macabre adornment has earned it the nickname of the "Mad Hatterpillar," inspired by the character from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
Gum leaf skeletonizers are also covered with hollow venomous spines — or hairs — containing histamines that can cause erucism, or caterpillar dermatitis.
If these spines pierce human skin, they cause a stinging sensation, itching and a rash.
This venom can remain within the spines even after a caterpillar sheds its skin.
Source
Gum leaf Skeletoniser (Uraba lugens), Australia and New Zealand.
What it eats: Eucalyptus leaves
The caterpillar of the gum leaf skeletonizer moth is a hairy little creature that keeps its old head capsules and stacks them on its head.
This macabre adornment has earned it the nickname of the "Mad Hatterpillar," inspired by the character from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland."
Gum leaf skeletonizers are also covered with hollow venomous spines — or hairs — containing histamines that can cause erucism, or caterpillar dermatitis.
If these spines pierce human skin, they cause a stinging sensation, itching and a rash.
This venom can remain within the spines even after a caterpillar sheds its skin.
Source
