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colorful caterpillar
Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 9:41 AM
Hello, Bug Man: Thanks for identifying my velvet moth. Here is a photo of a chartreuse caterpillar with a striking turquoise head. It has fine, branched white bristles and is about 2 inches long. I found it on my patio in Costa Rica. I’ve never seen a caterpillar like it before although I’ve been living here almost fourteen years. Any idea what kind of butterfly or moth it will be? I’ve seen a lot of skippers and large sulfer butterflies around lately and many moths. But I haven’t seen the caterpillars. During the heavy rains here many insects come on to my covered patio.
Mary Thorman
Costa Rica

Unknown Caterpillar from Costa Rica

Hi again Mary,
Sadly, there are not many online sources for correctly identifying the caterpillars of Costa Rica.  We would advise you to try to raise the caterpillar to adulthood to see what it metamorphoses into.  The 17th Century naturalist, Maria Sibylla Merian lived in Surinam for two years and she observed and documented insect metamorphosis.  Knowing the food plant is a big help in raising caterpillars.  Many caterpillars leave the food source when they are about to pupate, and that may be why you found this striking specimen on your patio.

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