Hairy caterpillars

Euproctis melanosoma

It grows to a length of about 3 cms.
It pupates in thin brown cocoon under a leaf or petal of its foodplant.
After about two weeks in summer, the adult moth emerges. It is white all over, except for its conspicuous black compound eyes, and some brown hairs along the inner margins of the forewings. The abdomen is often initially white, but often becomes black. The female has a yellow tuft on its tail.
The scales on its wings are very loose, and rub off at the slightest handling. It has a wingspan of about 3 cms.
The female moth lays her eggs in long disorganised strings, and covers them in hairs from her tail.

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