Arctia festiva

803_5933 [Arctia festiva]

 

This 35mm long caterpillar kept moving carefree while I was taking the picture.

She was probably overconfident that her (ugly? hairy? repulsive? frightening?) look

that constitutes her defense mechanism against predators would protect her. 

 

803_5956 [Arctia festiva]

 

However, when a clumsy movement on my part disturbed her, she instinctively stopped,

curled up and remained motionless as shown above.

802_1040 [Arctia festiva]

 

When time comes, following a series of transformational steps,

she turns into this moth called Arctia festiva.

 

Photographed in Lavrio in March 2018

Clicking on the pictures you can get a better view if you like.