Page 582 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Poorly known, with records only from western Colombia and
eastern Ecuador
HABITAT Cloud forests and secondary growth of montane forests at around
7,200 ft (2,200 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Gunnera spp., Miconia spp., and Tibouchina lepidota
NOTE Caterpillar that in most instars feeds in large groups
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but not considered threatened

ADULT WINGSPAN
1⅝–1⅞ in (41–47 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2–2 ⁄ in (50–65 mm)
SYMPHLEBIA PALMERI
SYMPHLEBIA PALMERI
580
(ROTHSCHILD, 1910)

Symphlebia palmeri caterpillars feed and rest in groups during

most of their life, apparently separating only late in the nal
instar or just prior to pupation. Pupation has not been observed
in nature but seems likely to occur away from the host plant,
as caterpillars held in bags in the laboratory often exhibit a day
or more of wandering behavior prior to pupation. Their setae,
unlike those of many other erebid species, appear to be only
mildly urticating. When the caterpillar is in motion, or stretched
out to feed, the otherwise uniform coating of setae across the
back will appear broken into segmental rings or individual tufts,
giving it an orange-on-black, potentially aposematic look.

The adults are common visitors to lights at night and, despite
their striking coloration, are remarkably cryptic when at
rest, with wings folded over their back, making them appear
much like a dead, damaged, or moldy leaf. The patchy
nature of the known range of the species suggests that it may
go overlooked in many areas or that more than one species
may be involved.

Actual size The Symphlebia palmeri caterpillar is robust,
with a shiny, black head and a velvety, dark
purple to black body. The dorsum bears a few
indistinct white lines crossing the body near
intersegmental areas, and the spiracles are
bright white. The dorsum is also covered with
many dense tufts of short, soft, deep orange
setae, creating a nearly uniform covering.