Agave worm

Anne Kilmer viceroy at gate.net
Tue Oct 28 17:13:47 EST 1997


Daniel Glaeske wrote:
> 
> Schembari3 wrote:
> >
> > I am an entomology student in N.Y and I am having a hard time finding the
> >  scientific name of the Agave worm, the catepillar that comes in bottles of
> >  Mezcal.
> >
> > Any help, including the family it belongs to would be greatly appreciated.
> 
> It is Giant Skipper caterpiller, family (or subfamily) Megathymidae.  I
> can't quite remember its full scientific name, but I believe the genus
> is Aegiale.  I'm sure some other poster can provide the full name.  If
> they don't, check James Scott's book on North American Butterlies on the
> Megathyminae section.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Daniel

Megathymus yuccae. 
we also have Megathymus cofaqui in these parts, (or so the books 
say) eating yucca, but we don't eat it much. 
pity. supposed to be one of the tastier bugs. 
Anne Kilmer
South Florida


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