Superfamily Zygaenoidea (Flannel, Slug Caterpillar, Leaf Skeletonizer Moths and kin)
Family Limacodidae (Slug Caterpillar Moths)
Genus Phobetron
Species pithecium (Hag Moth - Hodges#4677)
Hodges Number
4677
Other Common Names
Monkey Slug (caterpillar)
Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Phobetron pithecium (Smith)
Orig. Comb: Phalaena pithecium J.E. Smith 1797
Explanation of Names
Hag moth comes from the 3rd, 5th, and 7th pairs of prolegs that are long, curved, and twisted. These are suggestive of the disheveled locks of a "hag." They are clothes with stinging hairs.(1)
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.
Dyar recorded on "oak, chestnut, sassafras, dogwood, and ash" (2)
Wagner reports, "Apple, ash, birch, cherry, chestnut, dogwood, hickory, oak, persimmon, walnut, and willow, as well as many other woody shrubs and trees" (3)
Remarks
Caution, This is a stinging caterpillar. See this site for more information.
Print References
Covell, p. 410, plate 56 #7 (male), #10 (female) (4)
Caterpillars of Eastern Forests David L. Wagner, Valerie Giles, Richard C. Reardon, Michael L. McManus. 1998. U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team.
