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Project Noah Nature School
Automeris io
Found at two locations (Sabal Palm Grove Sanctuary and narrow strip of land near Camp Betcamp near Boca Chica Beach). We were able to handle it and didn't develop any reactions.
Found both in palm forest and mesquite-scrub lands. Also found on the edge of salt marsh.
Spotted on Nov 18, 2012
Submitted on Nov 19, 2012
4 Comments
Yes I agree that this is an io moth larva, Automeris io. Excellent find ! Did you bring any home to rear? You'd have to have host plant available but not for too long as this looks to be in final instar
Yes it appears to be an IO. The caterpillar should have a red and white stripe along its bottom edge. I think that is what I am seeing in your photo.
Thanks Daniele. I probably would love to be in Morocco. What was a thinking? I've corrected it. I couldn't get my I-pad to pull up the location when I posted it. Also, I believe the caterpillar is of an IO moth. I don't know if anyone else agrees.
Hi ReynaldoRamirezJr! Somehow something went wrong with the map for this spotting: it shows a point at sea right out of Morocco. Thanks for readjusting it!