Limacodidae

Lepidoptera • Insects (plant pests) • pests-diseases-weeds

Euclea delphinii
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Limacodidae - (slug caterpillars, nettle caterpillars)

This family of small and medium-sized moths contains around 1,000 species. They are found in many tropical and subtropical regions. The immature stages may look and move more like slugs than caterpillar. A number of species have stinging spines (nettle caterpillars), apparently for protection, and are colourful. Stings can be painful. On the other hand, the moths are often brownish and unspectacular. Several species are pests of trees and can cause defoliating outbreak, e.g. on coconut palms in tropical parts of Asia.

The following genera and individual species are currently entered in the system:

• Euclea delphinii
• Scopelodes (genus)
• Setothosea asigna