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.

Owlet moth caterpillar (Noctuidae: Noctuinae: Phosphila sp.) from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Giant swallowtail caterpillar, Papilio cresphontes, from Monteverde, Costa Rica. When threatened, they are capable of inflating tiny 'horns' called osmeteria (singular osmeterium) that give off a strong unpleasant odor.

Colorful caterpillar from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Ladybird beetle larva (Coccinellidae) from Iowa.

Green Lacewing larva: order Neuroptera, family Chrysopidae, from Iowa. Also referred to as "aphid lions," these larvae are ferocious predators of aphids and their eggs.

Owl butterfly caterpillar (genus Caligo) from Belize.

In addition to mimicking each other and surrounding foliage, some insects (like this caterpillar from Belize) have evolved to mimic bird droppings, a phenomenon known as mimesis.

Saturniid moth caterpillar, Automeris sp., from Belize.

Flannel Moth caterpillar, genus Megalopyge, from Belize. These larvae sport venomous spines that can cause a painful sting and inflammation, and sometimes other unpleasant sensations like headache and nausea.

A well-camouflaged owlet moth caterpillar, family Noctuidae, from Iowa.

Caterpillar from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Owlfly larva (Neuroptera: Ascalaphidae) from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Puss caterpillar (Megaloptygidae) from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Goldenrod Hooded Owlet Moth caterpillar, Cucullia asteroides, on goldenrod. (Iowa)

Geometrid moth caterpillar (Geometridae) from Monteverde, Costa Rica.

Shore fly maggot, Ephydridae (Iowa). I found this almost-microscopic larva swimming near the surface of an algae-covered pond. The breathing tubes on the posterior end (called spiracles) function like tiny snorkels, allowing the larvae to breathe underwater.

Colorado Potato Beetle larva, Leptinotarsa decemlineata, from Roseville, Minnesota.

Common sawfly larva (Tenthredinidae: Eriocampa sp.) from Roseville, Minnesota.

Unidentified caterpillar from Panama.

Morpho butterfly caterpillar from Panama.

Slug caterpillar, Parasa sp., from Panama.

lacewing larva from Chiang Mai, Thailand. Known colloquially as aphid lions or "trash bugs," some of these predatory larvae collect debris and pile it on top of themselves for camouflage, rendering them practically invisible in a world full of nondescript clumps of random organic material.