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Larger Version - _TNY_0490

This rather spectacular caterpillar is a rusty tussock moth (Orgyia antiqua), also known as the vapourer.

 

This particular one was feeding on the leaves of a purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and I came back to this one over the course of several days.

 

That's why I managed to shoot it not only like this, but also in the preceeding instar form (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/49179964983/) as well as the left behind old suit (www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/49459402312/) when it had transformed into this stage.

 

Also, am I the only one who thinks of the tail of a horse when seeing that feather brus on the rear end?

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Uploaded on November 11, 2020
Taken on July 18, 2019