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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Moths » Zygaenoidea » Slug Caterpillar Moths (Limacodidae) » Phobetron » Hag Moth - Hodges#4677 (Phobetron pithecium)

Species Phobetron pithecium - Hag Moth - Hodges#4677

Hag Moth - Phobetron pithecium - female Hag Moth - Phobetron pithecium - female 4677 - Hag Moth - Phobetron pithecium - female Phobetron pithecium - male Phobetron pithecium - male Unknown Moth - Phobetron pithecium Phobetron pithecium - Hag Moth - Phobetron pithecium Phobetron pithecium - Hag Moth - Phobetron pithecium
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
Classification
Kingdom Animalia (Animals)
Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class Insecta (Insects)
Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
No Taxon (Moths)
Superfamily Zygaenoidea
Family Limacodidae (Slug Caterpillar Moths)
Genus Phobetron
Species pithecium (Hag Moth - Hodges#4677)
Hodges Number
4677
Other Common Names
Monkey Slug (caterpillar)
Size
Wingspan 20-28 mm
Larvae to 25 mm
Identification
Caterpillar is most frequently seen. Bizarre, brown, hairy creature that resembles some sort of aquatic creature more than a caterpillar. Three pairs of long arms and three pairs of short arms, which are "deciduous" - often one or more is missing.

Adult (imago) is brown with irregular silver highlights. Tufts (pencils) of white hair-like scales on forelegs are notable.
Range
Eastern North America.
Habitat
Deciduous forests
Season
Catepillar: July-October. Imago (adult) May-September
Life Cycle
Larvae feed on broad-leaved trees and shrubs, including oaks, cherries.
Remarks
Caution, This is a stinging caterpillar. See this site for more information.
Print References
Covell, p. 410, plate 56 #7 (male), #10 (female) (1)
Wagner, p. 86 (2)
Mitchell, p. 145--good illustrations of caterpillar and adult (3)
Wagner, P. 44 (4)
Internet References
Maryland Moths
Forestry Images--one image of caterpillar
Invasive.org--links to several images
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
MPG
Works Cited
1.Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths
By Charles V. Covell
2.Caterpillars of Eastern Forests
By David L. Wagner, Valerie Giles, Richard C. Reardon, Michael L. McManus
3.Butterflies and Moths (A Golden Guide from St. Martin's Press)
By Robert T. Mitchell, Herbert S. Zim, Andre Durenceau
4.Caterpillars of Eastern North America
By David L. Wagner
Contributed by Cotinis on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason, Lynette
Last updated 10 October, 2006 - 8:30pm

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