Interesting mimicry in noctuid (?) caterpillar

[saye]

This caterpillar, by appearance and probability I would guess a noctuid species (if someone wants to help ID, thanks, in any case I'll try to later), was found in a room at night, perhaps trying to protect itself from the rapidly fallen temperature (do caterpillars exhibit this behaviour?) or just quite lost. To an interesting surprise, this larva, when handled for more than a few seconds, particularly when slightly pressed, conspicuously raised its anal prolegs wide apart, vaguely resembling a clasping insect with very visible mandibles, say, in the likes of a rove or tiger beetle. Repeatedly annoyed, it rapidly snapped into movement with a clumsy attempt at an escape. I saw this once, then attempted to simulate the same thing to the same result, now with some photos. Classifies as mimicry, does it not?

(edit: just realized I meant mimicry, not aposematism.)

Here is the larva at rest, more or less. Common behaviour after being disturbed.


I started to touch it repeatedly. Note that the anal prolegs widen.


Next photos following in post...

[saye]

Here is a sequence of the behaviour. The final photo is not part of it, but has been ended to show the result of repetition.


Never seen anything quite like it. Is this (well) known?

[papilio28570]

Just a common cut worm.
www.google.com/search?q=cut+worm&biw=1400&bih=764&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjR143UuYLLAhXH9h4KHanRDIkQ_AUIBigB

[saye]

Right, thus to say a common moth. I figured. It's the behaviour I was curious about though.

Thanks.