Urticatious caterpillar found in the Everglades

[DR. JAMES ADAMS]

Dear Jean,

> Does anyone know a possible identity of a caterpillar with very
> urticant hairs found in Everglades National Park feeding on White
> Mangrove leaves (Laguncularia racemosa). Its coloration is dull black
> with a few white hairs. 

Hylesia spp. are *not* found within Florida (sorry, O.G.!)

If the caterpillar was extremely hairy, I would say megalopygid 
(probably Lagoa pyxidifera).  However, I can't tell from your 
description if it is *hairy* black, with a few white hairs thrown in, or 
*naked* black, with just a few white hairs.  How large a caterpillar 
are we talking about here?  One other reasonable possibility would 
be some kind of arctiid (Tiger) moth.

	James




Dr. James K. Adams
Dept. of Natural Science and Math
Dalton State College
213 N. College Drive
Dalton, GA  30720
Phone: (706)272-4427; fax: (706)272-2533
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