Page 573 - 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, Ecuador, and Peru
HABITAT Primary and secondary cloud forests, especially along streams
and other areas of disturbance
HOST PLANTS Various, including Columnea ericae, Chusquea scandens,
Rubus spp., Miconia spp., and Tibouchina lepiota

NOTE Caterpillar that is di cult to see despite its contrasting coloration
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered threatened

ADULT WINGSPAN
1½–1¾ in (38–44 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)

NEONERITA HAEMASTICTA
NEONERITA HAEMASTICTA 571
DOGNIN, 1906

The boldly patterned Neonerita haemasticta caterpillar is not
often found; most of those larvae encountered to date have
been discovered only by beating potential host plants. Despite its
somewhat striking and contrasting color pattern, the caterpillar
can be quite cryptic, generally resembling a fungus-infected
portion of the host plant. Its long, delicate, plumose setae are
non-urticating and likely help the larva to detect air disturbed by
an approaching enemy. It is unknown if the shorter setae within
the dorsal tufts are urticating, but this seems quite possible.

Although currently only known to occur from Colombia to Peru,
this highly polyphagous species may also eventually be found in
the Andes of Venezuela and Bolivia. Neonerita haemasticta has
been reared numerous times in northeastern Ecuador and has

not yet been found to be a host for any parasitoid ies or wasps.
The biology and behavior of adult moths are virtually unknown.

The Neonerita haemasticta caterpillar is
generally black, with intricate yellow patterning
and two rows of short, densely packed, bright
white tufts of setae along its dorsum. The setae
of the rst and seventh tufts are approximately
twice as long as the rest. Otherwise, the body Actual size
bears sparse, soft, long, dark setae, many of
which are plumose and tipped with white.