This species of caterpillar has an interesting defense mechanism. When disturbed, it arches its back, revealing a pair of large frightening eyes and two rows of barred teeth.
The pink underwing moth is a rare insect from subtropical New South Wales through Queensland and New Guinea. It sustains on rotting fruit. It is nocturnal but doesn’t seem to be strongly attracted to light.
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The name was inspired by the bright pink bars on its hidden hind underwings. Some experts believe that as a defense mechanism. Experts theorize that a sudden flash of bright colors can startle a predator long enough for the moth to escape. The image of the skeleton makes it looks more threatening than it actually is.
It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Big-headed caterpillar’, which refers to the large false head that appears when the caterpillar adopts its defensive posture.
When they first hatch, caterpillars are a bland brown in color. This helps them better blend into their surroundings to avoid detection by predators. But as it grows, it develops a vague skeletal image for them to surprise predators.
Source: Oddity Central, Natura Pacific, Frank McGrath
