Ctenuchid Wasp Moth Larva

Description:

This larva was found on its host plant on October 8, 2018. It was covered in yellow-orange long hair which when magnified was subdivided into smaller spikes (pictures 1 and 5). The larva was 2 cm in length with an orange head capsule which was usually hidden under the tufts of hair falling forward from the thorax. The body is actually pink and white under all that hair, with a dark stripe down the back (pictures 1, 4 and 6).

Habitat:

Semi-rural residential area, on a garden plant, San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico, 2,200 meters. There were several others of these caterpillars on the same plant, which they practically destroyed.

Notes:

For the spotting on the pupation process of this larva see: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/182.... For the adult wasp moth which emerged from this larva see: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/652....