Epiperola vafinsa

Appearance

Limacodidae are small, hairy moths, with reduced or absent mouthparts and fringed wings.

The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, the sting can be quite potent, causing severe pain.

The larvae are typically very flattened, and instead of prolegs, they have suckers. The thoracic legs are reduced, but always present, and they move by rolling waves rather than walking with individual prolegs. They even use a lubricant, a kind of liquefied silk, to move.

Naming

Dognin, 1911

Distribution

South and Central America

Behavior

They often perch with their abdomens sticking out at 90° from their thoraces and wings.