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Project Noah Nature School
Cerura sp.
A tiny (4 mm long) caterpillar, possibly just ecloded. It has two long "tails" which it uplifts when it feels threatened, and end up in spiked "horns". It also has two spiked "horns" where the head attaches to the body. The color is a translucent dark red. Other instars can be seen here: 2nd instar: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170... 3rd instar: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169... 4th instar, early: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169... 4th instar, late: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169...
Spotted on Nov 21, 2012
Submitted on Nov 21, 2012
8 Comments
Here is a reference from the UK. They seem to love raising Puss Moth caterpillars and this person documented the life cycle from egg to mature.
http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds...
I use this site that lists many of the moths and butterflies in South America under the Amazon and Andes. http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/And...
B y the way, it is amazing how many times I've seen my spottings appear in "of the Andes" pages, although Curitiba is just some 3000 Km from the nearest Andinian mountain...
Thank you again, Gatorfellows. This is another caterpillar I spotted that looks a bit like Cerura's later instars: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/124...
I will continue to look as well. I often search under "of the Andes" to find things in Brazil. I do know that this is probably a 1st or 2nd instar and the adult will be quite different. Information and photos for instars are scarce.
Unfortunately, Gatorfellows, there are very few sources at hand in Brazil. Of course, there are several academic articles but they are of few or no use for an amateur like me. I've been in touch with researchers at the local University, but they are often too busy to loose their time with an outsider... I'll keep one eye on it, if I can.
You are welcome. I could not find a reference with range and other options. Hopefully you have sources that you know and can find a perfect match. I will watch to see if it was the one :)
Fantastic, Gatorfellows, it is almost identical. Thank you very much.
You might check early instars of the Puss Moths Cerura sp. I found this early instar image, Puss Moth (Cerura vinula) caterpillar, that is quite similar. http://entomolog.tumblr.com/page/2