The Monkey Slug, also known as the Hag Moth caterpillar, is a fascinating creature with a peculiar appearance. Known scientifically as Phobetron pithecium, this caterpillar resembles a hairy, disheveled mess rather than its namesake primate.
Primarily found in the eastern United States, the Monkey Slug has a unique, even bizarre, set of features that set it apart from other caterpillars. Some distinctive characteristics include:
- Six fleshy, hairy projections called “arms”
- Brown coloration that can help it blend into its surroundings
- Resemblance to a dead leaf as a form of camouflage
Despite its outlandish appearance, the Monkey Slug is not harmful to humans and eventually transforms into a less intimidating adult moth. Exploring the world of this fascinating creature offers insight into its peculiarities and the marvels of nature.
Monkey Slug Overview
Slug vs Caterpillar
The monkey slug is an interesting creature that is actually a caterpillar, not a slug. Here is a comparison table to showcase their differences:
Aspect | Slug | Caterpillar |
---|---|---|
Body Shape | Soft, slimy, elongated | Segmented, with a distinct head and tail |
Legs | None; moves using a muscular foot | Six legs and several prolegs |
Skin Texture | Usually slimy | Covered in hairs, spines, or projections |
Defense Mechanisms | Produces mucus | Hairs and colorful patterns |
Monkey Slug Characteristics
The monkey slug, formally known as Phobetron pithecium, is a unique caterpillar species with interesting features:
- Covered in long, dense brown setae (hairs)
- Has tentacle-like projections on the sides
- Resembles a yellow, furry spider or monkey
These caterpillars are part of the slug caterpillar moth family, which is comprised of various different caterpillar species. Monkey slugs are known for their unusual appearance, as they have six hairy “legs” and three distinct pairs of equally hairy “arms” (projections). Due to their dense hair coverage, they appear to be furry.
Some of the most distinctive characteristics of monkey slugs include:
- Their six true legs and additional prolegs for movement
- Spines or setae covering the body, providing a hairy appearance
- Bright yellow coloration, making them easily noticeable
- Their unique look, resembling both a monkey and a spider
Life Cycle and Habitat
Eggs and Larvae
The life cycle of the Monkey Slug, also known as the Hag Moth, starts with females laying eggs on the leaves of various plants. The eggs tend to hatch into stinging larvae, better known as caterpillars. These caterpillars are known for their poisonous, stinging hairs and unique appearance, resembling a “mollusk” more than a typical caterpillar.
The larvae primarily feed on a variety of leaves, such as:
- Wild cherry
- Oak
- Apple
- Willow
- Sassafras
Adult Moths
Adult Hag Moths are small, inconspicuous silk moths that have a wingspan of about 1-1.5 inches. They can be found in various habitats throughout the eastern United States, including Florida. Their habitat ranges from forests to residential areas.
Habitat | Found in Eastern US? | Notable Features |
---|---|---|
Forests | Yes | Diverse plant species |
Residential | Yes | Fruit trees, gardens |
Pros of the Monkey Slug
- Beneficial species: Moth helps control certain pests.
- Unique appearance: Fascinating to study and observe.
Cons of the Monkey Slug
- Stinging hairs: Larvae can cause irritation, swelling, and rash.
- Potential damage: Larvae can harm foliage of various plants.
Behavior and Diet
Monkey Slug Locomotion
The Monkey Slug, also known as the Hag Moth caterpillar, is a unique type of slug caterpillar due to its appearance and locomotion. Unlike typical moth caterpillars, Monkey Slugs have:
- Prolegs with suckers for gripping
- No visible head
- Long, fleshy tentacles
These attributes allow them to move slowly and cling onto leaves and plants.
Comparison Table: Monkey Slug vs. Typical Moth Caterpillar
Feature | Monkey Slug | Typical Moth Caterpillar |
---|---|---|
Head | Not visible | Visible |
Legs | Prolegs with suckers | Prolegs and true legs |
Tentacles | Long and fleshy | Absent or short |
Feeding Habits
Monkey Slugs are seen as pests by gardeners due to their feeding habits. They prefer to feed on tender leaves, which can lead to significant damage in gardens. Their diet consists of leaves from various plants, such as:
- Beech
- Oak
- Hazel
Occasionally, they may also consume fungi and other plant material. It’s important to note that the preferred food sources vary between different slug caterpillars. In general, the behavior and diet of Monkey Slugs are influenced by factors like moisture and the availability of suitable plants.
To summarize the key points:
- Monkey Slugs have prolegs with suckers for locomotion and cling onto leaves and plants.
- They feed on tender leaves, making them a nuisance to gardeners.
- Their diet varies between different species and is influenced by factors like moisture and plant availability.
Predators and Defense Mechanisms
Monkey Slug’s Natural Enemies
Monkey slugs, also known as hag moth caterpillars, face various natural enemies in their environment. Some of their predators include:
- Snails: A type of gastropods that can prey on caterpillars like the monkey slug 1.
- Parasites: Certain parasites may specifically target or infest monkey slug populations 2.
Protection Strategies
The monkey slug caterpillar has developed unique defense mechanisms to deter its predators and protect itself:
- Setae: Monkey slugs have distinctive hair-like setae covering their body, which can cause irritation to sensitive skin. This fur-like appearance deters predators from feeding on them due to the potential discomfort it may cause 3.
- Camouflage: They possess a natural ability to blend in with their surroundings. Resembling a small pile of dead leaves or a rock, the monkey slug can effectively hide from potential predators by mimicking elements in its environment 4.
Defense Mechanism | Description | Effectiveness |
---|---|---|
Setae | Hair-like structures | Deter predators |
Camouflage | Mimic natural elements | Hide from predators |
In conclusion, monkey slugs have developed effective defense mechanisms to protect themselves from their natural enemies, such as snails and parasites. By employing a combination of setae and camouflage, they manage to avoid predation and maintain their populations in the wild.
Human Impact and Interactions
Gardening Consequences
Mollusks like the monkey slug can cause damage to plants in gardens. They are known to feed on leaves, which may negatively affect plant growth. For example, hostas are a favorite of many gardeners, but they can also be attractive to monkey slugs.
One common impact on plants:
- Damaged leaves
Preventing Slug Infestations
There are various methods and techniques that gardeners can use to prevent slug infestations and protect their plants.
Creating barriers:
- Place copper tape around plant pots
- Spread diatomaceous earth or crushed eggshells around plants
Traps and natural predators:
- Beer-baited traps
- Introduce beneficial predators such as birds and frogs
Slug-repelling plants:
- Plant garlic, fennel, thyme, or rosemary to deter slugs
Pros and Cons of some prevention techniques:
Technique | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Copper tape | Environmentally friendly, reusable | Expensive, less practical for large gardens |
Beer-baited traps | Effective, affordable | Requires regular maintenance, may attract other pests |
Beneficial predators | Natural, sustainable | May take time to establish, can be unpredictable |
Remember to always keep pets away from any traps or substances used in slug prevention, as some can be harmful to animals.
Footnotes
14 Comments. Leave new
I’m really curious to see what these things look like when they pupate. I can’t imagine a nice smooth round pupa when the larva has all of those weird tentacle-like protrusions. Can they move those “arms” by the way?
Phobetron sp., Monkey Slug Caterpillar. The most common one in Brazil would be Phobetron hipparchia, which is very variable.
http://apiaiportaldamataatlantica.blogspot.com/2012/02/phobetron-hipparchia-lagarta-aranha.html
Thanks for the species clarification.
Hi Daniel
Regarding your homepage glitch, I see the same thing, but I had always put it down to it being a peculiarity of my netbook computer with its very small screen. I am using Windows 7 Starter Edition, with Internet Explorer 9. My husband’s laptop has the same issue, his is Windows 7 Home Professional w/ IE9. The glitch has never bothered me, but I’ve been using your site for a long time and know where your submission and bug links buttons are. I imagine it could be a problem for newcomers, though.
Thank you Bugophile. I will let our webmaster know.
Daniel, there are some clues that states that Phobetron stings are a legend.
I have a report of a woman handling it ith no effects and I found a discussion on Bugguide:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/840586/bgimage
Phobetron also appears in some of our literature as dangerous, do you have any case or know about it?
Daniel, there are some clues that states that Phobetron stings are a legend.
I have a report of a woman handling it ith no effects and I found a discussion on Bugguide:
http://bugguide.net/node/view/840586/bgimage
Phobetron also appears in some of our literature as dangerous, do you have any case or know about it?
Hi Cesar,
Thanks for pointing out this possibility. I cannot recall getting any actual reports of people being stung. Perhaps the reputation of the Monkey Slug originates because of other stinging members in the family.
i live in Paris, KY and came home today and found one on my front porch. Which lead me to this website,
Thanks so much for the info. This bug was so freaky looking, I had to know what it is. I never would’ve guessed it stings, great to know.
What Ecuadorian spider spits a brown liquid (I assume a mild acid) when threatened? The spider in question looked like a large huntsman, maybe 4-4.5 inches across (including legs). Very hairy. As I approached to pick it up it backed against the wall and raised then waved its front four arms at me and arched its cephalothorax making it difficult to pin it down to pick up like you would a tarantula. When I picked it up, it squirted a brown liquid on my hand, but otherwise was not aggressive.
I found a slug that looks like a monkey or mongo slug. It was on my head and now it itches
Like crazy. Do they lay eggs?
I drove a convertible to Charlottesville , va and parked under trees. Must have picked it up there
I found a slug that looks like a monkey or mongo slug. It was on my head and now it itches
Like crazy. Do they lay eggs?
I drove a convertible to Charlottesville , va and parked under trees. Must have picked it up there
Caterpillars are immature insects that do not lay eggs.