r/AustralianInsects • u/DrunkAndUnaware • 17d ago

ID request Unknown caterpillar(?)

Post image

Saw this guy crawling in my yard. Never paid much attention to caterpillars but in my head they were much larger than this. Any ID advice appreciated.

Located in south eastern suburbs of Victoria.

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u/TheFellaDownUnder 17d ago edited 17d ago

That’s a Millipede, not a caterpillar.

No idea on what type though.

1

u/Mottled_inexpectata 17d ago

To me it looks like a millipede, not a caterpillar, because of the segmented legs. Caterpillars only have three pairs of legs like this, and the rest are "false legs" that are soft and stubby. They also usually only have 8 pairs of legs (including the false legs). But I have no idea what species.

3

u/DrunkAndUnaware 17d ago

So it’s not going to bloom into a majestic flying creature? Should probably break my children’s hearts and let it go then

2

u/Mottled_inexpectata 17d ago

You could catch a moth while they're sleeping and swap it for that. Nature is amazing! Success will depend on their age.

1

u/Eclipse_Plaiz27 16d ago

Closest I could find for an ID is a “Skunk Striped Millipede” this one is a little more yellow but after a while I’m seeing some variety in colour but have a look at it :)