Page 298 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Limacodidae
DISTRIBUTION From Mexico to Peru
HABITAT Medium to high elevation rain forests, at 650–2,625 ft
(200–800 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Trees, including South American Holly (Ilex paraguariensis),
oil palm (Elaeis spp.), Avocado (Persea americana), plum
(Prunus spp.), and Citrus spp.
NOTE Spiny caterpillar that has stinging hairs
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but likely secure

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –2⅜ in (40–60 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 in (25 mm)
ACHARIA NESEA
STOLL’S CUP MOTH
296
(STOLL, 1780)

Caterpillars of the Limacodidae family are extraordinarily
spiny, and the Stoll’s Cup Moth caterpillar is no exception.
It hatches among eggs that are dorsoventrally at and thin, and

quite transparent, and bears eshy horns carrying groups of

stinging hairs. These hairs can break o and cause serious pain
to anyone who touches them. Like all limacodids, the Stoll’s
Actual size
Cup Moth caterpillar has suckers instead of prolegs, which help
it attach securely to substrates.

The Stoll’s Cup Moth caterpillar is usually light The host plants always have smooth leaves, which the rst instars
to dark brown, or grayish. A distinctive thick, skeletonize and older instars consume entirely. The pupal period
white-lined saddle runs dorsally between

ve pairs of black, eshy horns, which carry lasts about a month, inside a tough, brous cocoon constructed
tan-colored, stinging, spiny hairs. Ventrally, the
caterpillar is pinkish. The black spiracles are by the caterpillar, with a built-on line of weakness that acts as
bordered with orangish, spiny hairs. an escape hatch for the emerging adult—a moth notable for its
huge abdomen and outsized hairy legs. When reared in captivity,
Stoll’s Cup Moth caterpillars often fail to survive to adulthood.