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Euscirrhopterus cosyra
Larvae feed externally on cactus, rather than boring inside like many other cactus-feeders. Assorted Cactaceae, favoring new growth on Pricklypear (Opuntia species), and especially on Cholla (Cylindropuntia species), but reported from genera as unrelated as Carnegeia (Saguaro). In Arizona commonly found on Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, C. arbuscula, C. spinosior, C. versicolor, etc. (information from BugGuide)
Desert
In this view, the bottom end is up and the head is down below, peeking out through the cactus spines. I have been casually searching for 11 years and only now have discovered this species of moth whose larva feeds solely on cactus.
Spotted on Aug 4, 2002
Submitted on Jan 6, 2014
6 Comments
Mystery solved! Sound of a marching band, confetti drifts gently to the ground, and the boom of firecrackers in the distance. Ta-raaa!
Fabulous! Congrats!
I just figured it out! :-D
Oh, I didn't even look at the date! That is a long mystery! I hope someone on here can help you ID it.
I wish I could, but this spotting is from 2002. I was traveling in Arizona and saw this caterpillar, so I snapped a photo. Sadly, it was before I started documenting wildlife better and I only have this single image. I have been back to this area but have never seen another of these caterpillars. :-(
Very interesting caterpillar - spiny like its host. Can you raise one?