An Australian Grub?
February 5, 2010
Hello Bugman, it’s funny, just as you identified my Palm Planthopper, I came across another mystery on my walk. It’s about half an inch in length, and looks a bit like a cross between a pillbug anf a colourful grub.
PS. I contacted Dr Fletcher from Orange Agricultural Institute about the Planthopper, and as a consequence he added my photo of it to their website:
“Lovely pictures of Magia subocellata (Family Lophopidae). This species (and one other species of Magia) is native to North Queensland. It was found a couple of years ago in the tropical palm collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney and may well have spread to your area from there.”
http://www1.dpi.nsw.gov.au/keys/fulgor/species/magiasub.html
Ridou Ridou
Sydney, Australia

Cup Moth Caterpillar

Hi again Ridou Ridou,
We didn’t do quite as well with this submission.  We are nearly certain this is a Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae, which in the U.S. are known as Slug Caterpillars.  Many of them have stinging spines.  The Brisbane Insect website, which has a few species posted, though none resemble your example, indicates they are called Cup Moths because of the shape of their cocoons, and the caterpillars that sting are known as Spitfires, our new favorite insect name.  Your individual is most probably not one of the stinging species.  We next searched the Australian Limacodidae page from an excellent Lepidoptera of Australia website, and again our search was to no avail.  That website states:  “In Australia, they are also called ‘Spitfires’, ‘Battleships’ or ‘Warships’” and additional names for these interesting caterpillars include Chinese Junks and Bondi Trams.

Cup Moth Caterpillar

Your view of the underside is nice because it shows the lack of prolegs, and the underdeveloped true legs which result in the sluglike locomotion of the caterpillars in this family. Alas, we are temporarily giving up on a species ID, and we hope a Family ID will do for the moment. Perhaps one of our readers will be able to assist with this identification.

Cup Moth Caterpillar

unknown caterpillar
December 2, 2009
we saw this creature on the doorframe of our house in central maine during the late summer. it was about 3/4-1″ long. it had disappeared not long after we took the picture.
thanks, gina
central maine

Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar

Hi gina,
This is a Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar, Euclea delphinii.  It has venomous spines and it can deliver a painful sting.

thank you so much!!!
it’s so funny that nobody we know here in maine has ever seen such a thing!
i really appreciate your help.
happy holidays
gina

Stinging slug caterpillar??
September 28, 2009
Hi,
I live in Malaysia and I found this caterpillar under a leaf in my garden. I’ve checked through you website and the closest one that I can find is the stinging slug caterpillar. Could this be a stinging slug caterpillar? Thanx…
-arina-
Malaysia

Stinging Slug Caterpillar

Hi arina,
You are correct.  This is a Stinging Slug Caterpillar, but we are uncertain of the exact species.

Stinging Slug Caterpillar

Update from Karl
Daniel:
It is a stinging slug caterpillar and it looks very much like the Blue-striped nettle grub, Parasa lepida (Limacodidae). If that isn’t it it, it must be something closely related. P. lepida is apparently quite common throughout south and southeast Asia, but occurs from Africa to Papua New Guinea and as far north as Japan. Some or all occurrences outside of south and southeast Asia may be unwanted introductions. They are considered a serious agricultural pest wherever they occur, including on palms, rambutan, mango, banana, rubber and tea. And yes, they can inflict a painful sting if touched. The appearance of the larvae varies somewhat by location and stage of development (the blue stripe appears in the third instar), but Arina’s caterpillar looks very similar to the ones posted at http://www.malaeng.com/blog/tmp/2009/09/limacodid1.jpg and http://www.malaeng.com/webboard/index.php?topic=1199.0.  Regards.
Karl

Green, leaf-eating, slug-like insect
September 18, 2009
I found these two legless, hard-bodied slug-like insects eating my ornamental plum tree leaves. As you can see, the one on the right is shedding its skin. They look like little horseshoe crabs. I’ve never seen anything like them!
Holly Hanford Oliver
Southern New Hampshire

Skiff Moth Caterpillars

Hi Holly,
We doubt that these Skiff Moth Caterpillars, Prolimacodes badia, will ever be plentiful enough to damage your ornamental plum since they are small caterpillars and they will never be able to defoliate the tree.  Many members of this family, Limacodidae, have caterpillars with stinging spines, but the Skiff Moth Caterpillar is not one of those, so it is perfectly harmless.

Skiff Moth Caterpillar

Thanks, Daniel. These guys had me really baffled! I thought they might be some sort of exotic species. I’m not worried about my tree – there’s plenty to go around!
Thanks again,
Holly

unknown “slug-a-pillar” on blueberry bush
August 31, 2009
Dear bugman,
We found 4 of these critters who have stripped a small blueberry bush of its leaves. Three as you see are orange, black stripe down the middle with a little yellow stripe on the outside of the black. They have fleshy barbs that have bristles on them. No apparent feet. They move by a ripple like a slug and poop like a caterpillar. We were unaware of the underside until we put plastic wrap(with holes)on top of the container and they move across it – but leave no “trail”. The other one is yellow with a middle stripe that isn’t as dark as the orange ones – it looks more brownish red and its underside is orange. The undersides almost appear to suction as they move. We live in the Piedmont of NC, they were found Aug 30th, 2009 a young blueberry plant. What is this critter?
Help appreciated, Donna
Advance, NC

Stinging Rose Caterpillars

Dear Donna,
According to BugGuide, the Stinging Rose Caterpillar, Parasa indetermina, feeds on “apple, cottonwood, dogwood, hickory, oak, redbud, sycamore and rose bushes.“  Thanks to you, we can add blueberry to the list.  As the images on BugGuide show, there is considerable variability in the caterpillar coloration and markings.  Beware, as the name implies, if incorrectly handled, the Stinging Rose Caterpillar can sting.

Stinging Rose Caterpillar

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

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.