Chinese Limacodid Cup Moth Caterpillars III
Cup Moth (Limacodidae) larvae are often highly ornamented and brightly colored. Two main types can be distinguished: larvae armed with rows of protuberances bearing stinging spines called nettle caterpillars, or non-spined forms where the surface of the larvae may by completely smooth, called gelatine caterpillars. The larvae of this family bear no prolegs on their abdominal segments. The larva attaches itself to the substrate by means of an adhesive ventral surface. The movement is like a slug hence their generic name. A stinging slug caterpillar generally bears warning colouration and stinging hairs. These hairs can inject a venom from poison sacs carried at their base that are used as defensive weapons. Reactions can range from a mild itching to a very painful sting.
Click on the images to see their identification (where known)……
View my other images of Limacodid Caterpillars from China (Beijing and Yunnan) on my Flickr page, Limacodid (Cup Moth) Caterpillars. View the best of other Flickr members images of Limacodid Caterpillars in the gallery, Nettle/Slug Caterpillars of the Limacodidae (Cup Moths)
