Caterpillars and other Larvae

It took several pokes and lots of squinting before I realized that this twig in Costa Rica was, in fact, an exquisitely-camouflaged caterpillar.

Shag-carpet caterpillar (Bombycidae: Prothysana terminalis) from Monteverde, Costa Rica. It is suspected that the white tufts may make the caterpillar appear as though it has already been parasitized, thus making it unappealing to new parasitoids.

Saturniid Moth caterpillar, genus Automeris, from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Sawfly larva - Hymenoptera, suborder Symphyta (Iowa, USA). Sawfly larvae are very caterpillar-like in appearance, but the key difference lies in the number of prolegs, or the stubby little appendages they have in addition to their six true legs. Caterpillars will almost always have five or fewer pairs of prolegs, but sawfly larvae will have six or more.

Pagoda Bagworm (Psychidae: genus Pagodiella) from Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Litter moth - Herminiinae: genus Idia, possibly I. lubricalis, found under a rotting log in the forest (Iowa, USA).

Erebid moth caterpillar, genus Lophocampa, from Belize.

Caterpillar of the Frangipani Hawkmoth, Pseudosphinx tetrio (Belize).

Nymphalid caterpillar (Chlosyne erodyle or C. gaudialis) from Costa Rica.

Erebid moth caterpillar (family Erebidae) being attacked by a biting midge (family Ceratopogonidae) in Belize.

Unidentified caterpillar from Belize.

Bagworm Moth caterpillar, family Psychidae, on the tip of my finger in Belize.

Skiff Moth caterpillar, Prolimacodes badia, from Iowa. When flipped on its back, this caterpillar flexed its gelatinous "legs" around until it righted itself.

Skiff Moth caterpillar, Prolimacodes badia (Iowa).

Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle larva, Harmonia axyridis (Iowa, USA, 8/26/14). This species' reputation as a fierce predator of aphids and scale insects has earned it a special place in the hearts of farmers worldwide as a valuable pest control agent. Unfortunately, some invasive populations are now thriving to the point that they are out-competing endemic species and have themselves been labeled a pest.

Carrion Beetle larva, family Silphidae, from Vilas County, Wisconsin.

Portrait of a Linden Looper Moth caterpillar, Erannis tiliaria, from Iowa.

Linden Looper Moth caterpillar, Erannis tiliaria, from Iowa.

A Carrion Beetle larva, family Silphidae, takes a bite out of my hand. (Wisconsin, USA)

Gossamer-winged butterfly caterpillar, family Lycaenidae, from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Cryptic geometer moth caterpillar (Geometridae) from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

A brush-footed butterfly caterpillar (Nymphalidae) feeds on a leaf in Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Leaf beetle larva (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae) from Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Erebid moth caterpillar (Erebidae: Aganainae: possibly Asota sp.) from Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Saddleback caterpillars (Limacodidae: Acharia stimulea) like this one may be beautiful, but one should keep their distance - those spines are capable of inflicting painful stings. (Editor's note: I tend to refer to these as "sweater vest caterpillars.")

Unknown caterpillar parasitized by braconid wasps from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta), the caterpillar of the Six-spotted Sphinx Moth, from Iowa. The straight white stripes distinguish it from its similar cousin, the Tomato Hornworm, which has V-shaped white markings.

Monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) feeding on tropical milkweed in Monteverde, Costa Rica.