Caterpillars of the
World - Peru
Stinging Lichen moth
Pseudodirphia uniformis
LEMAIRE, 1975
Family -
SATURNIIDAE
subfamily -
HEMILEUCINAE
Tribe -
introduction
|
habitats |
lifecycle |
adult
Pseudodirphia uniformis,
Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru.
( Identification by
Bill Oehlke )
Introduction
There are 39 known
species in the genus Pseudodirphia, variously distributed from Mexico Rica to
Bolivia. In Peru where this caterpillar was photographed, there are 9
recorded species -
andicola,
biremis, eumedidoides,
niceros,
peruviana,
thiaucourti,
undulata,
uniformis & varia.
Habitats
This
larva was found in primary rainforest at an altitude of about
400m.
Lifecycle
The huge caterpillar
measures over 14 cms in length when fully grown. It bears a quite
remarkable resemblance to a lichen-covered stick, but unlike the
harmless lichen that it seeks to mimic, this caterpillar is quite
dangerous to touch. The branched
spines on its back and sides are capable of
delivering a painful sting and can produce a severe skin rash.
Pseudodirphia,
Dirphia and
Cerodirphia
are very closely allied to Lonomia, a
genus whose
well camouflaged spiked
caterpillars can be found clustered in groups of
up to 100 on the trunks of trees in Amazonia. There have been
many incidents where people have touched
or unwittingly rubbed against groups
of these caterpillars. The effects of a dose from multiple larvae can be
very dangerous, including massive intercranial
haemorrhaging and
kidney failure.
Lonomia obliqua caterpillars are a frequent
cause of death in southern Brazil - 354 people died between 1989
and 2005. The fatality rate is about 1.7% - roughly equivalent
to that of rattlesnake bites.
Pseudodirphia uniformis,
Rio Alto Madre de Dios, Peru
Adult
Adult
Pseudodirphia moths are all similar in appearance,
being
cryptically patterned to resemble dead leaves. Their wings are
pale brown with dark veins, and a dark-edged white median
line on the forewings. In several species there is also a whitish
area at the base of the forewings of whitish. The abdomen of most
species is furry, and yellowish-orange or chestnut
in colour.
Pseudodirphia
agis
( image
courtesy
www.guianensis.fr )
The closely
related Cerodirphia are much more
colourful,
having wings which are
uniformly reddish in colour and unmarked except for a
characteristic dagger-shaped mark at the end of the discal cell on
the forewing.
Cerodirphia avenata ( image supplied )
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