SADDLEBACK CATERPILLAR MOTH
Acharia stimulea
SLUG CATERPILLAR MOTHS (Limacodidae)
This colorful caterpillar grows to about 1 inch long. The bright green saddle is surrounded by a dark brown base. The saddle has a central brown patch bordered with white. The lobes in front and back bear stinging spines. There are also spines on the sides. The adult moth is dark brown with the wings shaded black and charcoal. The forewing has a white dot near the base and a few ‘white dots near the apex. The male has a flared abdomen.
The frequency of occurrence in our area is not known. The caterpillar shown here was photographed on the Fontenelle Forest boardwalk in mid-September 2015. Caterpillars are out from July to October. The early instars are gregarious. The adult moths fly from June to August.
The larval host food includes many trees, shrubs and grasses such as apple, asters, citrus, corn, dogwoods, elm, grapes, linden, maples, oaks, sunflowers and viburnums. This caterpillar can inflict painful and lasting stings with the spines.
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