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Cup moth parasite fly (Winthemia sp.) About 9 months previous to this shot I found a moth (Doratifera vulnerans) cocoon which was slightly unusual in size, colour and location so I decided to grow it out. <br /> Shock, horror and delight when a fly finally opened the lid, climbed out and stretched it&#039;s wings. <br /> About 14mm long. <br /> Target moth can be seen here.. <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/36664/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html" title="Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2532/36664_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=AfQL8kfu4exZMedOIE3pslBHQuA%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans) This male moth was grown out and released after pupation. The larva was found here... <br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/36663/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html <br /> I particularly like the net pattern on the wings and the moth was surprisingly silky. <br /> Pupation took seven months.<br /> About 22mm long. Australia,Doratifera,Doratifera quadriguttata,Doratifera vulnerans,Geotagged,Mottled Cup Moth,Spring,moth week 2018" /></a></figure> <br /> Target larva here... <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/36663/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html" title="Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans)"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2532/36663_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Bk%2BQroDymdM3asYS4hVl93mPU9s%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans) Also called spitfire caterpillar these can cause a nasty sting from those spines which are everted when the larva feels threatened.<br /> The twisted grey lateral shading indicates that changes are beginning and within the hour this one will form a hardened brown cup around itself in which it pupates. The cup is firmly attached to a eucalyptus stem and looks almost exactly like a gum nut... great camouflage. Another interesting feature of these caterpillars is that they have no legs and move around on a full-length &#039;foot&#039; rather like a slug. <br /> About 25mm long.<br /> I know this is a male only because I grew it out to adult. <br /> Although these cups are a clever disguise the introduced European wasp decimates them.<br /> <br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/36664/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html Australia,Caterpillar,Doratifera vulnerans,Fall,Geotagged,Larva,Mottled Cup Moth,mimicry,moth week 2018" /></a></figure> Australia,Caterpillar parasite,Geotagged,Spring,Winthemia Click/tap to enlarge

Cup moth parasite fly (Winthemia sp.)

About 9 months previous to this shot I found a moth (Doratifera vulnerans) cocoon which was slightly unusual in size, colour and location so I decided to grow it out.
Shock, horror and delight when a fly finally opened the lid, climbed out and stretched it's wings.
About 14mm long.
Target moth can be seen here..

Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans) This male moth was grown out and released after pupation. The larva was found here... <br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/36663/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html <br /> I particularly like the net pattern on the wings and the moth was surprisingly silky. <br /> Pupation took seven months.<br /> About 22mm long. Australia,Doratifera,Doratifera quadriguttata,Doratifera vulnerans,Geotagged,Mottled Cup Moth,Spring,moth week 2018

Target larva here...
Mottled Cup Moth ♂ (Doratifera vulnerans) Also called spitfire caterpillar these can cause a nasty sting from those spines which are everted when the larva feels threatened.<br /> The twisted grey lateral shading indicates that changes are beginning and within the hour this one will form a hardened brown cup around itself in which it pupates. The cup is firmly attached to a eucalyptus stem and looks almost exactly like a gum nut... great camouflage. Another interesting feature of these caterpillars is that they have no legs and move around on a full-length 'foot' rather like a slug. <br /> About 25mm long.<br /> I know this is a male only because I grew it out to adult. <br /> Although these cups are a clever disguise the introduced European wasp decimates them.<br /> <br /> http://www.jungledragon.com/image/36664/mottled_cup_moth_doratifera_vulnerans.html Australia,Caterpillar,Doratifera vulnerans,Fall,Geotagged,Larva,Mottled Cup Moth,mimicry,moth week 2018

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By Mark Ridgway

All rights reserved
Uploaded Apr 16, 2016. Captured Dec 10, 2014 23:34 in 7 Victoria St, Upper Ferntree Gully VIC 3156, Australia.
country flag of Australia Explore Australia 13,073 4,173 3
  • DSC-HX30V
  • f/4.0
  • 1/10s
  • ISO100
  • 7.95mm