| Hag moth | The hag moth (Phobetron pithecium) and its larva are well known for many reasons. It is an invasive species and an agricultural pest, it is venomous and can cause a reaction in human skin when touched, and its larva is one of the strangest looking caterpillars on record. The larva is sometimes called the monkey slug. It is covered in long, hairlike spikes and bears fleshy fingerlike lobes along the sides of its body. The lobes extend outward and sometimes curl a bit, making the larva look so little like a caterpillar predators probably do not even recognize that it is potentially edible. The larva is made further distasteful by the venom in some of its specialized spines, which are known as urticating setae. While the venom is not generally as toxic as that of some other stinging caterpillars, such as the puss moth, it can still inflict a painful reaction on a human who comes in contact with it. (references) |
