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Project Noah Nature School
Molippa nibasa
It is a thick-bodied caterpillar of 7-7½ cm. The ground color is black with irregular light yellow rings. The spines, which are light blue tipped with black protrude from red spots within these yellow rings (foto #3). The head is a deep cinnamon-red (foto #4). You can see the Molippa nibasa moth here: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/13... Thanks for the ID and link Neil. The common name was voted on by Neil and myself 😊
This caterpillar was found @ 700 masl on unknown vegetation along a trail to the river in the Amazon rainforest of SE Ecuador.
I was clearing a trail with a machete when this caterpillar fell into the area I was working, obviously dislodged by my work. I have no idea what plant, bush or tree if might have fallen from. To keep it from being injured and to get a picture, I let it crawl onto my hand (not knowing if it was venomous or not) and went back to the house. Later I put it on a branch that had leaves that I thought looked like they would taste good, but then, I’m not a caterpillar so I have no idea 😊
Thanks Dawn. In the process of moving back to the US for a few months and not spending much time on PN ☹ Hopefully I can get back here soon.
Thanks Daniele and Neil. Somehow it seems to fit. Thanks for allowing us a little leeway in our notes :-)
Common names have to originate from somewhere. "Punk Caterpillar" is awesome! Just do it! Here's the moth, and look at the hair on it. "Punk Moth!" https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/13... I reckon add this to your description as well.
I've seen people with spiked hair that color, but I suppose "Punk Caterpillar" wouldn't work. Thanks much for the help Neil.
If you're happy with that suggestion, I am happy to make a formal ID. It is such a cool caterpillar. Colour variations of other images could very well be photo processing as well. I'll also try and find a good reference link and common name. Now that's a tuffy :-/
Thanks Neil. Molippa nibasa looks good to me. I'm seeing some variation in colors on other fotos of this moth larvae. I believe it is a good match. I appreciate your efforts. Feel free to make an official ID suggestion if you want and give others a change to +1 your ID.
Thanks Brian. The colors are really unbelievable, as are the spines :-)
What an impressive beast this is! I did manage to find this - https://www.flickr.com/photos/75374522@N... Saturniid Caterpillar, perhaps Molippa nibasa? (images at bottom page 3 and top page 4). Slight colour variation, particularly the spines, but at least a start. Also a list of other Molippa species - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molippa I'll keep digging around :)
Thanks Bayucca. I found a match from Peru on the internet, but Saturniidae was all the farther they took it too. Hopefully I will be able to search later.
Spotted on Jul 28, 2015
Submitted on May 4, 2019
