Punk Caterpillar
Molippa nibasa
-2.15, -77.69
Field Notes
Description:
It is a thick-bodied caterpillar of 7-7Ā½ cm. The ground color is black with irregular light yellow rings. The spines, which are light blue tipped with black protrude from red spots within these yellow rings (foto #3). The head is a deep cinnamon-red (foto #4). You can see the Molippa nibasa moth here: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/13867119 Thanks for the ID and link Neil. The common name was voted on by Neil and myself š
Habitat:
This caterpillar was found @ 700 masl on unknown vegetation along a trail to the river in the Amazon rainforest of SE Ecuador.
Notes:
I was clearing a trail with a machete when this caterpillar fell into the area I was working, obviously dislodged by my work. I have no idea what plant, bush or tree if might have fallen from. To keep it from being injured and to get a picture, I let it crawl onto my hand (not knowing if it was venomous or not) and went back to the house. Later I put it on a branch that had leaves that I thought looked like they would taste good, but then, Iām not a caterpillar so I have no idea š
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