DaveO Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Oldfield, D. 2015. Opodiphthera eucalypti Scott, 1864 (Saturniidae) Emperor Gum Moth Larvae. Fauna photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultravioletphotography.com/content/index.php/topic/1281-opodiphthera-eucalypti-emperor-gum-moth-larvae/ Maldon, Victoria, Australia16 March 2015Australian Moth Larvae CommentOpodiphthera eucalypti larvae can be found on young adult Eucalyptus leaves between October and March. This particular individual was busily defoliating a young Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) tree. Visible Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Metz 15 MS-1 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV/IR Cut Filter.Image Reference: DO54548 Ultraviolet Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Nissin Di866 Mark II flash, 1/180s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV-Pass Filter.Image Reference: DO54550 Ultraviolet Induced Visible Fluorescence: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens with Baader UV/IR Cut Filter, Nichia NCSU033A UV-LED with Baader UV-Pass Filter, 5.0 s @ f/8 ISO 200.Image Reference: DO54555 References:Marriott, P., Moths of Victoria, Entomological Society of Victoria, 2008, Part 1, p. 27. Published 16 March 2015 Link to comment
nfoto Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Impressively patient caterpillar :D Interesting that the UV pattern is different from the visible and fluorescence appearance. Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 What a cool critter ! Thanks Dave for spotting this one. ( Don't shine the UV on them for too long. We are not sure of the side-effects! ) Link to comment
DaveO Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share Posted April 6, 2015 The next stage in the story Maldon, Victoria, Australia6 April 2015Australian Moth Cocoon CommentThe larvae spins a dark brown silken cocoon when it is fully mature, which happened a few days ago. The moth may emerge next Spring or Summer or could stay in the cocoon anywhere between two and five years. When the metamorphosis is complete the adult moth regurgitates a fluid to soften the tough cocoon and then cuts a hole using sharp hooks on the base of each forewing. Visible Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Metz 15 MS-1 flash, 1/180 s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV/IR Cut Filter.Image Reference: DO54637 Ultraviolet Light: Pentax K-5 Full Spectrum Modification, Nikon Rayfact PF10545 MF-UV 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Nissin Di866 Mark II flash, 1/180s @ f/16 ISO 200, Baader UV-Pass Filter.Image Reference: DO54638 Published 6 April 2015 Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 This is a fascinating bit of natural history, Dave. Very interesting that the moth does not necessarily emerge right away the next spring. Link to comment
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