Page 299 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Limacodidae
DISTRIBUTION Eastern North America
HABITAT Mixed deciduous forests
HOST PLANTS Wide variety, both native and exotic, including Manila Palm
(Adonidia merrillii); Aster spp. and Helianthus spp. (Asteraceae);
Celtis spp. (Cannabaceae); and dogwood (Cornus spp.)
NOTE Aposematically colored caterpillar that stings
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1–1 ⁄ in (25–43 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¾ in (20 mm)
ACHARIA STIMULEA
SADDLEBACK 297

(CLEMENS, 1860)

Saddleback moth caterpillars hatch from batches of 30 to 50 eggs,
laid by the female moth on the upper side of host plant leaves.
The caterpillars are truncated and sluglike, having prolegs with
suction cups (instead of crochets, as in most caterpillars) on the
ventral surface of the body. They produce a semi uid silk from

their ventral pores as they move, which provides an adhesive Actual size
bond to smooth leaf surfaces. Young larvae feed gregariously.
The second instars develop bright green saddle markings and
urticating spines on the fleshy tubercles of the body, which

e ectively deter vertebrate and invertebrate predators. Contact The Saddleback caterpillar is dark brown
with the caterpillar can cause a painful, swollen rash. at each end, its posterior end also bearing
three bright, neon spots, giving it a face-like
appearance. A contrasting bright green
midsection has a brown saddle bordered
After feeding for four or ve months, the caterpillar excretes with white. The eshy tubercles extending

white frass pellets and spins a compact cocoon, creating a thinner from both anterior and posterior ends are
covered in long, urticating spines and setae.
ring within its end, from which the adult will eclose. To harden Urticating setae are also located on shorter
the cocoon, the larva excretes calcium oxalate and also breaks projections that line the caterpillar laterally.

o some of its spines and weaves them into the cocoon wall as
additional protection for the pupa.