The next moth that I’ve painted is the Euchaetes egle, or Milkweed Tussock Moth. It is a very simple, humble looking thing. The wings are very plain, and only the body shows any bright coloration. Its caterpillar, on the other hand, is remarkable. It bears a strong resemblance to a very small, shaggy, multicolored dog! The caterpillar obtains toxins from its food source, the milkweed plant. The moth retains some of these toxins, but also emits ultrasonic clicks to deter predatory bats. One theory is that the sound imitates a different, much more toxic moth. Ultrasonic sound is also important in attracting mates, as these moths don’t emit pheromones.
