Subject: What a monster!
Location: Sabione, Lugaggia, Switzerland
September 20, 2013 7:27 am
My friends and I found this awesome bug in a forest in Sabione, a mountainous region in Switzerland near the Italian border. We found it in early September in a lush, green woodland forest, next to a river in a valley between some steep granite (?) mountains. When we found it, it remained flat, but it curled itself in defense as we got closer, rearing up its cricket-like head and legs, resting on the portion of it which looked more like a catepillar. It was the most bizzare bug I have ever seen. About 2 – 2.5 inches long. Something nightmares are made of! 🙂 Any ideas?
Signature: Fiona Sheridan and Warren
Hi Fiona and Warren,
This bizarre caterpillar is commonly called a Lobster Caterpillar, Stauropus fagi, and when we first posted an image of one in 2005, we were amazed at its unusual appearance. The Learn About Butterflies website has some nice photos of its life cycle.
