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Beutenmueller’s Slug Moth Caterpillar

Posted by August 31st, 2009 at 7:44 am

Categories

Stinging Slug Caterpillars

dainty snowflake worm
August 30, 2009
dear bugman,
what is this? it was on my porch.
bug whisperer
Middle Tennessee

spun glass slug cat 300x199 Beutenmuellers Slug Moth Caterpillar

Beutenmueller's Slug Moth Caterpillar

Dear bug whisperer,
BugGuide lists Beutenmueller’s Slug Moth Caterpillar, Isochaetes beutenmuelleri,
as uncommon.  It is also known as the Spun Glass Slug Moth and caterpillars feed on swamp oak leaves.  Many of the caterpillars in the Slug Moth Family Limacodidae are capable of stinging, but we are unsure is this species has the stinging spines.  Your photo indicates that it probably does.
spun glass slug cat 2 300x235 Beutenmuellers Slug Moth Caterpillar

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Comments 1

  1. Cassandra wrote:

    This is so interesting! It looks like it belongs under the sea…it resembles an cnidarian!

    Posted 01 Sep 2009 at 9:46 pm

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