Page 559 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern Mexico, south through Central America and
western South America to Bolivia
HABITAT Mid-elevation forests and forest edges, including severely
degraded habitat
HOST PLANTS Many, including Nectandra spp., Erythrina edulis, Desmodium spp.,
Rubus spp., Wercklea ferox, and Chusquea scandens
NOTE Distinctive, densely tufted caterpillar
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered threatened

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1¾ in (39–45 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1¾–2⅛ in (45–55 mm)
HALYSIDOTA ATRA
HALYSIDOTA ATRA 557

(DRUCE, 1884)

The singular appearance of the Halysidota atra caterpillar
establishes its identity, although few other species of this
genus are known. Its characteristic forward and rearward
oriented tufts are moveable and wave about prominently when
the caterpillar is walking. At rest, the tufts serve to completely
conceal the head. Younger caterpillars tend to feed gregariously,

but individuals go their separate ways some time during the nal
instar. Groups of caterpillars waving their contrasting yellow
tufts and white tufts can appear quite menacing.

Early and middle instars, which have a bright pink ground color

and sparser secondary setae, look completely di erent from
the nal instars. Older larvae are parasitized by Distatrix wasps

(Braconidae) and several unknown species of tachinid flies.
Both the braconids and tachinid parasitoids develop internally,
emerging to pupate outside of the host soon after the infected
larva begins to show visual signs of being parasitized.

The Halysidota atra caterpillar is short and
robust-looking due to its dense coating of dark
brown setae and bulbous, shiny, brown head.
The second and third thoracic segments bear
pairs of dorsal and subdorsal tufts composed of
soft, very long, pale orange, whitish, or yellowish
setae, those on the second thoracic segment
oriented forward and those on the third thoracic
segment swept rearward.
Actual size