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Caterpillar

Automeris sp.

Photo by LarryGraziano
Published on Project Noah
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10.1983, -85.8256

Field Notes

Description:

This caterpillar is about 3 inches long with longer hairs. Each time I blew air on to it the body contracted and it the hairs moved/expanded in defense.

Habitat:

Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica 7 weeks into the 6 month dry season

Species ID Suggestions

Automeris sp.
bayucca
1

Io Moth Larva

Automeris io

Reference Link
florida33girl
1

Comments (4)
LarryGraziano
This guy is still hanging out under my house. It looks like he didn't make it to last instar and is beginning to die from starvation. I am having a hard time finding out the what the host plants are to move him but it is probably too late. For now I put Automeris sp. as I am not sure which species it is from comparing with my hi-res photos.
bayucca
That's always the easiest way to find out what it is: wait for release. But you have to feed it ;-)...
LarryGraziano
THANK YOU both for the suggestions. this caterpillar crawled up a wall under my house two days ago. Hopefully it is still there to pupate. I shall report back.
bayucca
I agree with Automeris sp., but I don't think it is Automeris io, which is to my knowledge not found in Costa Rica. It might be Automeris phrynon or Automeris tridens. But they look equal for me, can't separate them. Take a look and check the species: http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu/caterpillars/dblinks/cklistcat.lasso?herbsp=Automeris%20phrynon http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu/caterpillars/dblinks/cklistcat.lasso?herbsp=Automeris%20tridensDHJ07 I think you need a real expert for this one.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
WILD Cities: Urban Biodiversity
Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Paso Pacifico Survey
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 11, 2012

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