slug caterpillar moth

slug caterpillar moth

▪ insect
      any of approximately 1,000 species of insects (order Lepidoptera) that are widely distributed throughout the world but are concentrated in the tropics. These moths are named after their short, fleshy, sluglike caterpillars. In the caterpillars, suckers have replaced the typical larval prolegs, and the larvae seem to glide rather than crawl. Some larvae are brightly coloured and have stinging hairs capable of causing a rash in humans who touch them. The caterpillars feed on plants and pupate in oval cocoons hung between leaves.

      One species, the hag moth (Phobetron pithecium), derives its name from the larva's fleshy appendages, which are covered with brown stinging hairs resembling disheveled or tousled hair. When the caterpillar spins its cocoon the appendages are transferred to the outside of the cocoon, where they serve for protection and camouflage.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Slug caterpillar — Slug Slug, n. [OE. slugge slothful, sluggen to be slothful; cf. LG. slukk low spirited, sad, E. slack, slouch, D. slak, slek, a snail.] 1. A drone; a slow, lazy fellow; a sluggard. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. A hindrance; an obstruction. [Obs.] Bacon …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Slug — Slug, n. [OE. slugge slothful, sluggen to be slothful; cf. LG. slukk low spirited, sad, E. slack, slouch, D. slak, slek, a snail.] 1. A drone; a slow, lazy fellow; a sluggard. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. A hindrance; an obstruction. [Obs.] Bacon.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • willow slug caterpillar — noun : a caterpillar that is the spinose larva of a moth (Euclea delphinii) and that feeds on willow, oak, pear, and other deciduous trees …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sea slug — Slug Slug, n. [OE. slugge slothful, sluggen to be slothful; cf. LG. slukk low spirited, sad, E. slack, slouch, D. slak, slek, a snail.] 1. A drone; a slow, lazy fellow; a sluggard. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. A hindrance; an obstruction. [Obs.] Bacon …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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  • Spiny oak slug — Taxobox name = PEuclea delphinii regnum = Animalia phylum = Arthropoda classis = Insecta ordo = Lepidoptera superfamilia = Zygaenoidea familia = Limacodidae genus = Euclea species = E. delphinii binomial = Euclea delphinii binomial authority =… …   Wikipedia

  • lepidopteran — /lep i dop teuhr euhn/, adj. 1. lepidopterous. n. 2. a lepidopterous insect. [1850 55; LEPIDOPTER(A) + AN] * * * Any of the more than 100,000 species constituting the order Lepidoptera (Greek: scaly wing ): butterflies, moths, and skippers. The… …   Universalium

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