Skip to main content
Today is National Trails Day!
Close

Monkey Slug

Phobetron Hipparchia

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

9.92423, -83.6415

Field Notes

Description:

It's a stinging caterpillar. Bug guide says: Bizarre, brown, hairy creature that resembles some sort of aquatic creature more than a caterpillar. Three pairs of long arms and three pairs of short arms, which are "deciduous" - often one or more is missing.

Bizarre indeed!

Notes:

It's strange as a caterpillar and still strange and beautiful as a moth, check this spotting to see the Phobetron moth:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/84056099?

Reference Links:

Phobetron hipparchia, Species Phobetron pithecium - Hag Moth - Hodges#4677 - BugGuide.Net

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (12)
LaurenZarate
Amazing Caterpillar and so nice to see yours and Sergio's adult moth.
Sergio Monteiro
Wonderful, José Miguel. Maybe you could put a link to my own Hiparchia moth spotting: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/84056099? I think it would be interesting if PN users could have a before/after view of it.
Diaz José Miguel
Yep thanks to your comment I saw that! if you want you can still suggest the ID and I will give you the +1!
Doren B
This may be Phobetron hipparchia. It appears that all of the Encyclopedia of Life records for that species are from Costa Rica. http://eol.org/pages/376956/maps
Doren B
This is called a Monkey Slug caterpillar. I cannot give you a definitive species identification because I am unfamiliar with the caterpillars of your area, but you may want to look at this page for a beginning: http://www.whatsthatbug.com/category/caterpillars-and-pupa/moth-caterpillars/stinging-slug-caterpillars/page/2/ It is a good thing that you did not touch this because they are known to cause painful stings.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Insects of Costa Rica
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project
Mission
Life in Costa Rica
Photographed
PublishedOctober 29, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies