Caterpillars - Megalopygidae

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Caterpillars of the World - Peru

Flannel moth

Megalopyge ( species unidentified, ref 073 )

Family - MEGALOPYGIDAE

subfamily - MEGALOPYGINAE

Tribe -

introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult


Megalopyge sp ( ref 073 ), Peru ( image courtesy © David Fischer )

Introduction

There are about 220 species in the family Megalopygidae, the vast majority of which are found in the neotropics, with a few representatives in North America and Africa.

Virtually all the species have bizarre and often very beautiful caterpillars, but the adult moths are by comparison extremely dull, generally being blackish or ochreous in colour.

Habitats

To be completed.

Lifecycle

The fluffy caterpillar looks "friendly" enough to pick up, but to do so would be unwise. Hidden under the soft hairs are poisonous spines which pierce the skin and can cause an extreme allergic reaction resulting in rashes, blisters, inflammation, and breathing difficulty.

Adult

To be completed.

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