Page 305 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Limacodidae
DISTRIBUTION Eastern United States, from New York State west to Texas,
and one area in Florida

HABITAT Woodlands, parks, and eld and roadside edges
HOST PLANTS Swamp Oak (Quercus bicolor) and other Quercus spp.
NOTE Well-defended caterpillar typically found on the underside
of leaves
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, and uncommon

ADULT WINGSPAN
¾–
⁄ in (19–24mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
ISOCHAETES BEUTENMUELLERI ⅜– ⁄ in (10–15 mm)
BEUTENMUELLER’S
SLUG MOTH 303

(HY. EDWARDS, 1889)

The Beutenmueller’s Slug Moth caterpillar is covert and solitary
in nature, seldom seen, and an uncommon species throughout
most of its normal range. The tiny larva is nearly transparent
and sports multiple appendages armed with glass-like “hairs.”
Physical contact with the caterpillar should be avoided, as it can
cause dermatitis and other skin irritations. During later instars,
these poisonous filaments encompass the caterpillar’s entire
body, hence its more common name, Spun Glass Slug.

During the eighth ( nal) instar, the larva sheds its formidable
weaponry prior to metamorphosis within a brown, silken
cocoon. A circular hatch at one end of the cocoon allows the
transformed moth to exit. Adults—the females larger than
the males— y from June through August. Like all Limacodidae

caterpillar species, these crystalline creatures glide across the
leaf with a sluglike motion, leaving a shiny trail wherever they
go. They are active at night and dormant throughout most of
the daylight hours.

The Beutenmueller’s Slug Moth caterpillar
is transparent light green, with multiple, hairy
appendages spanning the length of the body
in an elongated starlike pattern. Its internal
organs are visible through the dorsal area Actual size
as a dark stripe along the length of its back.
Translucent, knobby protrusions contain
stinging spines.