Larva (Part 1)

Description:

Large spiny larva with white stripes about 5 cm long. It was walking on the ground in the garden. I brought it inside to see if it would pupate. I believe that larvae in their last instar need exercise prior to pupation and therefore most walk for 2 days or longer, not necessarily looking for a place to pupate so much as to sufficiently oxygenate their bodies to prepare for pupation. The 4th picture shows a close-up of the the spines on this larva. They are actually like small trees with branching spines and you can see the very fine urticating hairs on the ends of the spines.

Habitat:

Semi-urban garden. San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.