Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Saddleback Caterpillar Moth
Acharia stimulea (Clemens, 1860)


Family: Limacodidae
Subfamily:
Identification: Wings glossy dark chocolate brown with black shading. One white dot near forewing base, and one to three more near the apex. Hindwing paler brown.
Wing Span: 2.6-4.3 cm. Female larger than male.
Life History: Larva (Saddleback Caterpillar) can inflict a painful sting with sharp bristles on its body.
Flight: June-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many plants including apple, asters, blueberries, citrus, corn, dogwoods, elms, grapes, linden, maples, oaks, Prunus species, sunflowers, and viburnums.
Adult Food:
Habitat:
Range: Massachusetts to Florida, west to eastern Missouri and Texas.
Conservation:
NCGR:
Management Needs:
Comments: Changed from Sibine stimulea 07/2009 per Hugh McGuinness.
Alternate Scientific Names:
Sibine stimulea