Just In Time For Halloween: The Rare ‘Skull’ Caterpillar of Australia

Looking like a cross between a skull and Squidward from Spongebob is the caterpillar of the Pink Underwing Moth (Phyllodes imperialis). This bizarre creature is found below the altitude of 600m in undisturbed, subtropical rainforest, and survives enitely on the vine Carronia multisepalea, a collapsed shrub that provides the food and habitat the moth requires in order to breed. Due to habitat destruction and tourist disturbance, the moth is listed as nationally endangered in Australia. 

Young caterpillars are dull brown, but as they mature they develop two large ‘eye’ spots surrounded by smaller white spots and a double row of white ‘teeth’ on the dorsal side between the eye spots; hence the skull-like appearance.