A MOUNT Gambier couple were stopped in their tracks after noticing a strange creature crawling up a garden pot this week.
The twisted twig like creature had a stunning orange head and moved slowly.
Faye and Trevyn Wilson said the creature spanned about 20cms in length and was puzzling to say the least.
“I felt a bit anxious at the time thinking what it could be,” Ms Wilson said.
The resident said she quickly called a pest control worker who came and had close-up look.
“He said he had ‘never seen anything like it’,” Ms Wilson added.
After phoning government environment departments, the creature was identified as a large bagworm.
Scientifically, it is known as a larva caterpillar of saunders case moth (Metura Elongatus).
It is understood it is unusual to find large bagworms in Mount Gambier.
Mount Gambier is the most western location where this species is found.
The male adult moth has a hairy orange head and black wings, while females have no wings and spend their entire life in the case.
