Mohawk - _TNY_5369
The fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi) is a fairly large moth and unsurprisingly the caterpillar is fairly large as well.
The Swedish name is cooler though: "Gräsulv" which translates into "grass wolf".
Regardelss of name, this one looks very soft and cuddly - but I would strongly reccomend not picking it up.
As many have painfully discovered, in between all the fuzz is a nasty surprise.
Some of the hairs are connected to venom sacs and if the caterpillar isn't handled carefully enough, then they might break off and cause a painful itch which can linger for weeks or even longer.
The "rubi" part of the scientific name is in reference to the larvae liking bramble leaves as food - but they actually eat lots of other plants as well.
A very similar shot can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51599621119/
A shot showing the entire catepillar can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51508402540/
Mohawk - _TNY_5369
The fox moth (Macrothylacia rubi) is a fairly large moth and unsurprisingly the caterpillar is fairly large as well.
The Swedish name is cooler though: "Gräsulv" which translates into "grass wolf".
Regardelss of name, this one looks very soft and cuddly - but I would strongly reccomend not picking it up.
As many have painfully discovered, in between all the fuzz is a nasty surprise.
Some of the hairs are connected to venom sacs and if the caterpillar isn't handled carefully enough, then they might break off and cause a painful itch which can linger for weeks or even longer.
The "rubi" part of the scientific name is in reference to the larvae liking bramble leaves as food - but they actually eat lots of other plants as well.
A very similar shot can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51599621119/
A shot showing the entire catepillar can be found here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/51508402540/