The Venomous 'Mad Hatterpillar': A Crown of Old Heads

The gum leaf skeletonizer caterpillar, also known as the "Mad Hatterpillar," wears its old head capsules as a crown, which serves as a defense mechanism against predators. These caterpillars are covered in venomous spines that can cause caterpillar dermatitis in humans. They feed on eucalyptus leaves and can slow the growth of trees, making them a pest in some areas. Efforts have been made to control their population, including the release of parasitoid wasps in New Zealand.