Cup moth caterpillar

Cup moth caterpillar IMG 6623 - The striking four spotted cup moth caterpillar, Doratifera quadriguttata, is the larva of a rather dull brown moth of the Limacodidae family. The caterpillar, which is around 25mm in length, has poorly defined legs and slithers along like a slug. It feeds on the leaves of eucalyptus trees, and although a large colony of these colourful spiny caterpillars can defoliate a  tree, the plant usually recovers from the ravenous attack.