Dangerous Cutie

SADDLEBACK MOTH CATERPILLAR - Limacodidae

Sibine stimulae (Clemens)

The saddleback caterpillar or larva is a striking, venomous, grotesque,

slug-like creature. It is about 1" long and flat on the underside,

but rounded on the top when fully mature. The basic body color

is brown or reddish; its back and sides in the center of the body is a

bright or vivid pea-green patch with an an oval, purplish-brown spot

often edged in white which suggests a saddle, hence its name. The

evenly rounded larva is armed along its sides with groups of spines,

and two larger tubercles or projections are situated at the front and

rear of its body also bear spines. Thoracic legs are very small and

the abdominal prolegs are absent.

Saddleback caterpillars have a wide host range of herbaceous and wood plants including trees, shrubs and even

corn plants and the perennial obedient plant. These stinging caterpillars are less commonly encountered than

other species previously discussed. Touch this caterpillar and you can get a rash and a high fever.