What on earth is this?
September 28, 2009
While moving, my friends found this on a cardboard box that had been sitting, undisturbed in a storage room for over a year. It reacted only slightly to being touched, but when a lighter was held a few inches away from, the pustule looking things started to swell and it lifted up a few of its legs (arms?). They’ve left it alone since, except for calling me to take some pictures. In a 24 hour period it’s moved about 4 inches across the top of the box, though rarely moves at all when we’ve been looking at it. We live in southcentral Oklahoma, and the weather has been very hot for months, so the closed off storage room it was in, was very warm, and moderately humid.
curious okie
south central Oklahoma
Monkey Slug
Dear curious okie,
This is a Monkey Slug, the caterpillar of the Hag Moth, Phobetron pithecium. It is one of the Stinging Slug Caterpillars in the family Limacodidae, and it should be handled with caution.
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Posted 29 September 2009
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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
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Posted 28 September 2009
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Pupa in leaf cocoon
September 19, 2009
Saw this on the stalk of a sapling at Wallops Park in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of VA on Sept. 19, ‘09. It’s about the size of a periwinkle (1-1.5″). When I brushed the plant and it fell off, it clamped on to a pine shat. I guess it’s a caterpillar of some kind that makes its cocoon out of leaves, but haven’t been able to make a specific ID. I’ve been walking this trail almost every day for the past 17 years, and have never seen anything like it. Any info you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks.
Linda Cuttone
Wallops Park, Accomack County, Eastern Shore of VA
Skiff Moth Caterpillar
Hi Linda,
We posted a photo of a Skiff Moth Caterpillar yesterday morning, and you must have overlooked it when you logged onto our website before submitting your question.
Skiff Moth Caterpillar
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Posted 20 September 2009
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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
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Posted 19 September 2009
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strange little creature, moves like slug, orange color, appears to looks kind of fuzzy
September 4, 2009
While outside earlier I had bent down to pick something up, and out of the corner of my eye. I saw something fall. I looked over and it appeared as if a bloom had fallen off of an Indian Jewelweed…until I saw it moving! It had landed on top of a little stone, so my hubby picked it up (while it was on the stone) so I could get a couple of pictures of it. If anyone has any idea what this is, I’d really like to know. As I mentioned in the subject line, it is an orage color, and when looking at it in the pics, it appears to look ‘fuzzy’ ~ it’s movement is much like that of a slug because it seems to ’suction’ to things and crawl across. if by chance you know what this is, how could we care for it here for a few days? My daughter is in the 11th grade and has just started her ‘Zoology’ class ~ she’d love to take it in to show her teacher! (It’s Labor Day weeked, so school won’t be in session for three days.) We don’t want to harm it in anyway…it is so very interesting. Any help is much appreciated! Thank you.
Barbara M.
Fayette County, WV
Monkey Slug Caterpillar
Dear Barbara,
Handle this Monkey Slug Caterpillar, Phobetron pithecium, with care. It is not an aggressive species, but careless handling might cause skin contact with the stinging hairs. The Monkey Slug Caterpillar is the larval form of the Hag Moth and you may read more on BugGuide which indicates: “Larvae feed on broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including oaks, cherries.“
Well, who knew? Not I! Thank you so much for answering my question, I had never seen anything quite like that before! Thanks, also, for the link you sent and informing that it stings! Have a wonderful weekend!
Barbara
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Posted 05 September 2009
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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
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Posted 01 September 2009
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Scary Caterpillar
August 30, 2009
My daughters and I found this while doing yardwork. My daughter accidentally bumped it while we were taking pictures of it and she said it stung real bad. I did remove what looked like a tiny hairlike stinger! I would love to know what this bug is!
Thanks for your help!!! Debbie
Henderson Kentucky
Saddleback Caterpillar
Hi Debbie,
The Saddleback Caterpillar, Acharia stimulea, in the family Limacodidae is one of the Stinging Slug Caterpillars.
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Posted 31 August 2009
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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.
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Posted 31 August 2009
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Neon Green Caterpillar Fri, May 8, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Hi
I found this caterpillar under a leaf in a forested area near my home. I’ve never seen a neon coloured caterpillar like this before. Could this be a stinging slug caterpillar? I’m pondering as I live in Singapore, and so far all the documentation I’ve read about stinging slugs don’t come from this area of the world. Thanks!
Jeremiah
Singapore
Stinging Slug Caterpillar
Hi Jeremiah,
This is certainly a Stinging Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae . While we are not certain of the species identification, perhaps one of our readers will write in with an answer.
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Posted 10 May 2009
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Peruvian amazon stinging slug caterpillar?
Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 10:23 PM
I saw this bug in late July, 2008 in Puerto Maldonado, Peru. I’d be interested to know what you think.
JC
Puerto Maldonado, Peru
Stinging Slug Caterpillar
Hi JC,
What we think is that you are correct. This is a Stinging Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae. We also think it is a gorgeous specimen and that it resembles the Saddleback Caterpillar, Acharia stimulea, from North America, and we believe it may be in the same genus. We will try to do additional research at a later date.
Bright Red Crab-like Bug
Mon, Jan 19, 2009 at 2:21 PM
My brother found this on a house plant. He lives in Brazil. Have any idea what this is and if it’s poisonous?
Clayton Robinson
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Slug Caterpillar
Hi Clayton,
While we cannot tell you the species, we suspect this is a Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae. Your specimen closely resembles the Monkey Slug or Hag Moth Caterpillar which can be viewed on BugGuide. Slug Caterpillars have stinging spines and the sting can be quite painful and stays irritated for several days.
Update:
Daniel:
I think this slug caterpillar may have been posted before (Brazilian Monkey Slug Caterpillar – December 18th, 2007). In a follow-up note, the poster (Luiz) commented that the local name was “Lagarta-Aranha” which translated roughly to “Spider Caterpillar”. That name seems to be applied to a variety of Limacodidae caterpillars in Brazil, but most commonly to Phobetron hipparchia, an extremely variable species that ranges widely throughout the tropical Americas. That’s the same genus as the North American Monkey Slug Caterpillar (P. pithecium)and they do look very similar. Regards.
Karl
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Posted 19 January 2009
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I have no leads
Mon, Dec 29, 2008 at 8:30 AM
While working at an Outdoor Ed center, my co-teacher and I discovered this awesome creature and kept him in hopes of finding someone on staff to identify it. We found him in the woods on a particularly balmy day. His underside was nearly translucent and had some sort of fuzz around his perimeter, which was highlighted by bright orange spots, which were also along his back. we named him sid.
Lauren
the woods of Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Slug Caterpillar
Hi Lauren,
This is a Slug Moth Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae, probably Isa textula. Many Slug Moth Caterpillars have stinging spines and they should be handled with caution.
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Posted 30 December 2008
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