While it looks like a nightmare creature that should be avoided, the monkey slug caterpillar is relatively harmless. The monkey slug caterpillar (larva of the hag moth) looks something like a fuzzy, brown, slightly elongated starfish. These strange beasts must surely be one of the most outlandish of all New England caterpillars. Any ideas ? Interesting Facts Another common name for the hag moth caterpillar is monkey slug. Also sometimes called the Elvis caterpillar for its elaborate hairstyle, Megalopyge opercularis is more commonly known as the asp or puss moth caterpillar, especially in the south. People, fortunately, are usually not included in the list of moth predators. Canada Number 7084. When it's disturbed, the upper wings pop up and the big eye-spots look like the eyes of an owl or a similar animal. The legs have been reduced to suction cups, which allows it to make the slug-like movement shown in the video above. Often times when people find strange-looking creatures their first instinct is to get as far as possible from that being, or to simply film it (for the more courageous ones). The answer is invariably "no." They may look small and harmless, but sometimes they have a very well-developed self-defense mechanism. If you pick up the cocoon of the monkey slug, you may feel a nasty little sting. This type of caterpillar doesn’t sting but can cause skin irritation. Some typical species in this family are the saddleback caterpillar, spiny oak-slug, hag, and skiff moths. Lepidopteran larvae, or caterpillars, demonstrate a diverse array of defense mechanisms that are thought to increase larval fitness. This FlickR image is identified as Latoia consocia, and … These simple sucking feet grasp onto the surface, and the caterpillar moves slowly along. Adult Moth: The adult moth has extensive green markings, Severity of Sting: This caterpillar has a nettle-like sting. This is one of over a dozen species of legless slug caterpillars native here in New England each fall. Scientific name: Automeris io; there are related species across the US. Though other hairy caterpillars have a reputation for prickly defenses, this caterpillar does not … 1998). An employee Found this crawling around on a roof next to a large maple tree. This is useful information indeed, not that I've picked up a caterpillar in at least a few decades. Very few people ever see, or notice, this small but pretty little moth. Vankleek Hill, Ontario. None of the caterpillars in North America are capable of delivering a fatal or even very serious sting, although there is a species in Brazil that can and does kill people with its sting. When it's full grown, the caterpillar makes a tough, capsule-like cocoon. They sometimes come to lights. Basically, you can look at the Monkey Slug and not touch it, which doesn't feel like that much of a challenge. Severity of Sting: Like the stinging rose caterpillar, the sting of this species is similar to that of a nettle. This is the pretty adult moth of Euclea delphinii. [1], The larva is distinctive, with no close analogues, although it may be mistaken for the shed skin of a hairy spider or leaf debris. According to popular belief, the hairs on this caterpillar can sting you. Stinging caterpillars, and stinging or poisonous insects in general, often sport bright colors and strange shapes. Range: Several species, ranging across the US and into Canada and Mexico, Adult Moth: The adult moths are large, beautiful insects. This brown-colored caterpillar looks as if it has hairy arms and resembles a squashed hairy spider. This caterpillar turns into a moth called the hag moth. This caterpillar turns into a moth called the hag moth. The beautiful caterpillars illustrated above are the larva of a moth in the genus Parasa. Intense, throbbing pain develops immediately or within five minutes of contact with the caterpillar. The best and first thing to do is get packing tape or duct tape, or even waxing tape, and press it into the area. I’ve read though, that the hairs on this caterpillar may not sting. When a caterpillar is able to sting, it's due to the presence of "urticating setae," which means they have stinging hairs or spines. There are several species, and all are quite similar. Finding one crawling down a driveway in Maine as a child I was stumped. They're about an inch long when fully grown, and their green-brown pattern makes them easy to see. No clue what it is, and I've been looking all day. The larvae are 1.5–2.5 centimetres (0.59–0.98 in) in length.[1][2]. The moth is especially striking, and is sometimes called the bull's-eye moth. Many of these caterpillars are brightly colored, and some tropical varieties are so striking they must be seen to be believed. © 2021 Maven Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. The sting is not severe, akin to a stinging nettle, but for sensitive individuals it can trigger a more general allergic reaction. [1][2], "Monkey slug" redirects here. Clearly the sting of the asp is a serious event, and medical care should be sought if the victim appears to need more than topical relief. Each "wing" has a tiny white dot, I think...very hard to see. Luckily that small package doesn’t hide a powerful sting. This is a Stinging Slug Caterpillar in the family Limacodidae, and as its name indicates, it is capable of stinging if it is carelessly handled. If you pick up the cocoon of the monkey slug, you may feel a nasty little sting. People sometimes wonder if the stinging caterpillar species grow into moths that also sting. 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