Prominent Moth Larva
G. sp.
This larva (caterpillar) was found crawling on the ground in South Nandi Forest, Kenya, April, 2013.
All moths and butterflies have four life stages, each with its own distinct appearance and habits. Linking each stage that might be found in an environment requires that the species be ‘reared out.’ Ideally one captures an adult female moth or butterfly, obtains from her a set of eggs, rears the hatching larvae (caterpillars) on the correct host plant, providing for the proper place for the mature larva to pupate and undergo metamorphosis (often in a cocoon or chrysalis) to the adult.
Both the adult moths and the larvae of Notodontidae are very photogenic! The colorful caterpillar here is among the *less* ornate. I would suggest a search on the photo sharing site Flickr! In most cases the visual effects are to appear like something not at all edible (for a hungry bird) or else dangerous. This brightly marked larva might be toxic due to sequestered plant poisons.