#hag moth

[moths-daily]

have you ever posted the hag moth? their larvae are the most curious looking caterpillars ive ever seen

Moth of The Day #155

Hag Moth

Phobetron pithecium

From the limacodidae family. They have a wingspan of 20-28 mm. They can be found in North America. Their larvae are known as Monkey Slug.

And some pictures of their larvae, because I can't not show them to you:

[gloomywolfmushroom]

Hag Moth Caterpillar (Phobetron pithecium)

The Hag Moth Caterpillar, also referred to as the Monkey Slug, can be found in Eastern North America and into the Midwest. It's about 1 inch in diameter and is most known for having a very bizarre appearance, like a visual oddity. They are also part of the slug moth caterpillar family, which have sucker's and move just like slugs.

The appearance can vary widely, with many shapes and bright colorations. The caterpillar has 6 hairy appendages, and is cleverly designed to help with camouflaging techniques to avoid predators. When not moving, it could be mistaken for a dead leaf, but when it is moving, it can be mistaken for a tarantula instead!

Although it uses sucker's to move around, the Hag Moth Caterpillar still has itty bitty true legs near its head and under the thorax. Ooh, and its belly is transparent, so you can see their open circulatory system in action!

Now, it is important to note that these guys have spines underneath their small hairs that can be irritating or painful upon contact if you ever come across one. So it is more of a look, do not touch situation.

Despite the extraordinary appearance they have as a caterpillar, they do not metamorphosize into anything just as crazy. The Hag Moth is a mottled brown, super furry, and has tufts of hair that extend from every leg. The males have more of a translucent wing, while the female has light ivory hairs on her legs and is much larger in size. Adult moths are also a lot rarer to find out and about.

Male:

Female:

Paired:

Image links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

[terriblyjadedgamer]

Hag moth

[coolbugs]

Bug of the Day

The lost scales on this very worn hag moth (Phobetron pithecium) make it look even darker and weirder :-).

[animalids]

Monkey slug (Phobetron pithecium)

Photo by Antonio CBC Lopes

[thegrandbestiary]

Strange and Beautiful Moth Caterpillars

Caterpillar for the Hag moth (Euphobetron aquapennis)

Caterpillar for the Atlas moth (Attacus atlas)

Caterpillar for the Io moth (Automeris io)

Caterpillar for the Spotted Apatelodes moth (Apatelodes torrefacta)

Caterpillar for the Owl moth (Brahmaea wallichi)

Caterpillar for the Cecropia moth (Hyalaphora cecropia)

Caterpillar for the Agraca coa moth

Caterpillar for the Saddleback moth (Acharia Stimulea)

Caterpillar for the Crowned slug moth (Isa Textula)

Caterpillar for the Spun glass moth (Isochaetes beutenmuelleri)

Sources: (x) (x)

[prof-byona]

Remember Billy Joel? I neglected telling you guys, but he turned into a tiny tiny handsome young man! The wing that sticks out like a shark fin is one of his hindwings that did not hook up to the forewing properly, however he could still fly. I love his yellow eyebrows and fluffy pants! I hope he made many soft fuzzy babies and had a good time!!!

[calosoma-amitch]

Hag moth (Phobetron pithecium), Fishers Island NY, August 2016

Caterpillars in the slug moth family (Limacodidae) tend to look strange, but the Hag moth caterpillar is down right bizarre. Also called “monkey slugs”, these caterpillars bear 10 pairs of furry, tentacle-like appendages that easily break off when touched. This makes it extremely difficult for predators to determine which end of the body is the head, and makes it equally difficult for predators to get a good grip of the caterpillar. Add in stinging hairs and you have an impressive defense mechanism.  As caterpillars, hag moths feed on a variety of trees and shrubs, including cherries, maples, oaks, and willows. This one was feeding on a black cherry (Prunus serotina). As adults, the moths mimic the appearance as wasps or bees. Males take on a waspish appearance, while females appear more fuzzy like a bumblebee. The adults do not feed. 

One or two generations a year in the eastern US. Adults appear late spring into summer, and caterpillars into late summer. Caterpillars overwinter as pupae.