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Post by simone24 on Aug 6, 2021 11:48:28 GMT -8
Hi! I found this stuck to an alfalfa plant in central kansas. Does anyone know what it might be? Thanks!   |
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Post by livingplanet3 on Aug 6, 2021 12:08:01 GMT -8
Hi! I found this stuck to an alfalfa plant in central kansas. Does anyone know what it might be? Thanks! It's the caterpillar of a moth of the family Limacodidae - bugguide.net/node/view/131 |
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 6, 2021 13:27:18 GMT -8
It's a beetle larva, probably something like a tortoise beetle? A coleopterist can probably correct me.
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Post by livingplanet3 on Aug 6, 2021 13:41:13 GMT -8
It's a beetle larva, probably something like a tortoise beetle? A coleopterist can probably correct me. Agreed - tortoise beetle larva. |
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Post by exoticimports on Aug 6, 2021 15:37:58 GMT -8
Nice photos!
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Post by Adam Cotton on Aug 7, 2021 2:02:38 GMT -8
If it was a Limacodid moth larva you would probably have been badly stung while handling it. If you see larvae similar to the ones in the link above posted by livingplanet3 you should not touch them. Their sting is a very painful burning sensation, and they should definitely be avoided. Adam. |
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Post by livingplanet3 on Aug 7, 2021 4:57:52 GMT -8
The larvae of some tortoise beetles look so similar to those of limacodid moths, that I have to wonder if they're an example of Batesian mimicry?
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Post by Adam Cotton on Aug 7, 2021 10:15:52 GMT -8
It is certainly possible. I can't imagine any larger animal would want to eat a Limacodid larva, so there would certainly be an advantage in looking like one.
Adam.
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Post by whimsywriter on Aug 8, 2021 10:26:16 GMT -8
How interesting!
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