Page 555 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION The Andes of Colombia, south to Bolivia
HABITAT Humid cloud forest interiors, especially along streams
HOST PLANTS Many, including Sche era dielssi, Oreopanax spp., Alloplectus
tetragonoides, Chusquea scandens, Dendrophorbium spp., and
Critoniopsis occidentalis
NOTE Caterpillar that twitches its body spasmodically when disturbed
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered threatened

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅝–2 ⁄ in (66–74 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜–2¾ in (60–70 mm)
DYSSCHEMA PALMERI
DYSSCHEMA PALMERI 553

(DRUCE, 1910)

Despite the fairly bright coloration of Dysschema palmeri
caterpillars, they are infrequently encountered. The larvae
feed solitarily, usually resting on the lower side of their host
plant leaves, well out of sight from potential predators. When
disturbed, they spasmodically twitch their head and rear
sections, waving their long setae about over their body. So far
as is known, the setae do not cause any sort of skin irritation.

The adults of Dysschema palmeri resemble, and probably
mimic, several of the larger species of clear-winged butter ies

(Ithomiinae) within their range. They do not generally y about

during the day, instead resting below leaves with their wings
folded back over their bodies in a roughly triangular shape,
taking flight only when disturbed. It is not clear when this
species’ eggs are laid, but possibly around dusk and dawn, when
visibility is poor and the adults’ resemblance to toxic butter ies

may still be an advantage.

The Dysschema palmeri caterpillar has a
uniformly shiny black head and a velvety black
body with dark purple markings around the
intersegmental areas, thin, broken lines of bright
white dashes, and a mid-dorsal bright crimson Actual size
stripe. It is sparsely covered with fairly sti ,
black setae, each segment also bearing a few
long, slightly plumose, soft, white setae.