Stauropus alternus or the lobster caterpillar

Stauropus alternus, the lobster caterpillar, lobster moth or crab caterpillar, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. Here the specie was found munching the Nephelium lappaceum or the rambutan leaves. It has a unique mimicking like snake head in its tail, to stay away from its predators!

comments (3)

Christine Young

Lion

Awesome!! I'm just curious if you are sure that this is Stauropus fagi because the caterpillar of Stauropus alternus is very similar. Stauropus alternus also feeds on rambutan and is found in your area. Posted 4 years ago
1. Murali Mohan
  
  Katipo Spider
  
  Hi Christine, thanks for the help in identity. Looks your suggestion is correct. Thanks a ton for the same. Updating in my observation Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    You're welcome, Murali! I'm always happy to help :). I wasn't positive, but will ID it as such for now. Posted 4 years ago

The Lobster caterpillar

"Stauropus alternus", the lobster caterpillar, lobster moth or crab caterpillar, is a moth of the family Notodontidae. It is found in the north-eastern Himalaya, Sri Lanka, Sundaland, the Philippines, Sulawesi and the southern Moluccas. It was described by Francis Walker in 1855.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Moths And Butterflies

Species identified by Christine Young