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In recognition of the end of the 2013 Limacodid caterpillar season here in Yunnan,this is a repost of my favourite and indeed Flickr's favourite (based on interestingness) capture of a Limacodid Slug Caterpillar.
Cup Moth larvae are often highly ornamented and brightly colored. Two main types can be distinguished: larvae armed with rows of protuberances bearing stinging spines called nettle caterpillars, or non-spined forms where the surface of the larvae may by completely smooth, called gelatine caterpillars. The larvae of this family bear no prolegs on their abdominal segments. The larva attaches itself to the substrate by means of an adhesive ventral surface. The movement is like a slug hence their generic name.
A stinging slug caterpillar (like this one) generally bears warning colouration and stinging hairs. These hairs can inject a venom from poison sacs carried at their base that are used as defensive weapons. Reactions can range from a mild itching to a very painful sting.
These caterpillars are custom built with every conceivable self-protection device imaginable. Bright, garish colors which are like danger signs in nature saying "I taste awful" or "I am loaded with poison; multiple stinging barbs which inflict painful and persistent burning rashes (on humans anyway); false eyes pointing in every direction to say " I see you, you can't surprise me"; a head end that looks the same as the rear end so there can be no potential surprise attack from behind; and specific to the Limacodid caterpillars (who actually have no true legs, hence the slug in their name), a sticky adhesive underside that makes them very difficult to prise off their food plant. With that in mind, stinging nettle caterpillars are often not hard to find. They don't conceal themselves day or night and will often be in the most conspicuous of locations. Basically, they have little to fear.
View my other images of Limacodid Caterpillars from China (Beijing and Yunnan) in my photostream, HERE.
You will notice I have given each individual a descriptive superhero-style name in the title of the image. This variety is aptly nicknamed "The Clown" for its garish theatrical decoration. There is a green version presumably of the same genus that I have dubbed "The Jester". These are for my own reference mainly because practically none of these caterpillars are identified (maybe even ever formally) and this will allow me to group the growing number of images I have into their like-kinds including the various instars I have captured. The names will be included as tags.
Pu'er, Yunnan, China