Page 419 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION From Mexico south through Central America to Panama
HABITAT Mostly mid-elevation forests
HOST PLANTS Unknown in the wild; in captivity has fed on a variety of plants,
including species of Leguminosae and Rosaceae
NOTE Rarely seen montane, stinging silkmoth caterpillar
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–3 in (60–75 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2 ⁄ –2¾ in (65–70 mm)
PARADIRPHIA LASIOCAMPINA
PARADIRPHIA LASIOCAMPINA 417

(R. FELDER & ROGENHOFER, 1874)

Paradirphia lasiocampina caterpillars hatch from pale colored
eggs laid by the female silkmoth in small batches on host
plant leaves. The early instars are gregarious, while later
instars live relatively solitary lives. The larvae develop
through six instars over a period of between four and six weeks.
Before pupation, the caterpillars leave the host plant in search
of a pupation site on the ground. A pupation chamber is formed
about 4 in (100 mm) below the soil surface, and, unlike most
other silkmoth caterpillars, this species does not use silk to line
the chamber. The pupa is black and smooth.

Caterpillars of this silkmoth are well defended by their clusters
of spines, which can cause mild to severe stinging in some
people. There are about 30 described species in the silkmoth
genus Paradirphia, most of them occurring in Central America
and South America.

The Paradirphia lasiocampina caterpillar
is reddish brown dorsally and white ventrally.
Six yellowish, spiny tufts are present on each
segment with an elongated tuft posteriorly.
True legs and prolegs are crimson red as are
the head and two pairs of forward-projecting
tentacles located immediately behind the head.

Actual size