Caterpillars of the
World - Peru
Shag Carpet
Prothysana
felderi
DRUCE,
1887
Family -
APATELODIDAE
subfamily -
APATELODINAE
Tribe -
Shag Carpet
Prothysana felderi,
Manu cloudforest, 1300m, Peru
Introduction
The
Apatelodidae are a fascinating family of moths found in temperate
and tropical habitats from Canada to Bolivia and Brazil. Their
larvae, which are popularly known as "shag carpet" caterpillars,
are characterised by having thick coats of red or buff coloured
"hair" or setae, interwoven with a carpet-like pattern in black
and / or white.
This species is
found from Mexico to Bolivia.
Habitats
Prothysana felderi is found in
primary and secondary rainforest and cloudforest habitats at
altitudes between about 200-1800m.
Lifecycle
The larva of
Prothysana
felderi varies in
appearance from instar to instar, and produces several colour
forms across its geographical range. Some varieties have a buff or
olivaceous ground colour, with tussocks of red setae on the
thoracic and anal segments, while others are deep red, with
ribbons of black or white setae along the backs.
The larvae feed
on Philodendron,
Heliconia,
Welfia, Chamaedora,
Piptocarpha,
Pentaclethra,
Piper,
Stigmaphyllon,
Neea, Lycianthes,
Heliocarpus,
Miriocarpa and Aegifila.
Adult
The adults of
Apatelodidae are known as "head-standing" moths due to their odd
resting posture as illustrated below.
Apatelodes
( unidentified
species ), Rio Madre de Dios, 400m, Peru
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