A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Automeris sp.
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.
Tropical dry forest in NW Costa Rica 7 weeks into the 6 month dry season
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.
That's always the easiest way to find out what it is: wait for release. But you have to feed it ;-)...
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.
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...
http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu/caterpillars...
I think you need a real expert for this one.
Spotted on Jan 10, 2012
Submitted on Jan 11, 2012
+1
