Caterpillars having mass orgy sex in Mt Bogong, Vic, Australia

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Perga affinis (Spitfire Sawfly) ...
Are they have mass orgy sex ?


1)
Photo taken in 2006 January on Staircase Spur trail
while climbing Mt Bogong, Vic, Australia

Trip report is in this link:
https://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2009/04/bogong-vic-australia.html

2, 3)
Photos taken in 2011 March on Staircase Spur trail
while climbing Mt Bogong, Vic, Australia

Trip report is in this link:
https://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/bogong-vic-australia-west-peak.html

Spitfire Sawfly are not true caterpillars.
They are the larvae of a wasp,
or more accurately a Symphytan.

These larvae are gregarious.
They are often found in a mass of many individuals
on the ground or on Eucalyptus tree trunks.

When disturbed,
they exude a nasty smelling fluid from their mouths.

This latter habit has given them
the common name of "Spitfires",
although they do not actually spit the fluid,
just dribble it.

The larvae also are inclined to tap their tails
in some form of communication with the group.

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