At this time of year, even here in southern Arizona, I am always a bit surprised to find insect activity. Imagine my shock then at finding a caterpillar on my living room floor today. It was a familiar species, but still a bit early I think.
Tucson is landscaped with a plethora of ornamental fan palms, and it is from these trees that my caterpillar came. Known as the “palm flower moth” or “palm budworm,” depending on its life stage, Litoprosopus coachella is a frequent home invader in urban areas.
The mature caterpillars (roughly 25 millimeters in length) crawl off the tree to find a suitable place to spin a cocoon, and this sometimes takes them indoors. High winds will also dislodge them by peeling bracts off the trunk of the tree and sending them flying across the yard and against buildings. Any attached caterpillars will fly away with those botanical missles.
Despite their abundance, and appetite for the blooms of their host plant, the caterpillars are generally considered more of a nuisance than a bona fide pest. They may do minor damage to carpets once they get indoors and chew off fibers to incorporate into their silken cocoon.
The caterpillars are not terribly attractive, being a dusty greenish or pinkish color, devoid of much hair, and can be mistaken for a beetle grub at first glance. Look at the head. The two tiny spots near the corner of its mouth are one set of eyes. Most caterpillars are nearly blind, though, relying on tactile and chemical cues to navigate their world.
The remainder of the head capsule, that round, hardened area at the front, is filled mostly with muscles to operate the jaws. What jaws they are, too! The first time I found one of these, I made the mistake of trying to simply pick it up. I got a nasty nip out of it, and my reflexes sent the poor creature flying across the room. Ouch! Gila woodpeckers and northern mockingbirds are not as easily dissuaded as I, and feed heavily on these larvae.
Unfortunately, this insect does not redeem its appearance much through metamorphosis. The adult moth is equally dull and drab. Well, I suppose beggars (for signs of spring and the company of other animals) can’t be choosers, at least not in February.
It is getting to be that time of year when almost any bug will do.
ReplyDeleteI think the moth is kinda pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe visual of you slinging the caterpillar across the room after it bit you is pretty funny!
The caterpillar is a bit grub-like, but I actually thought the adult was quite a lovely snowy moth. But then, perhaps I'm a tad biased. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with your comment on the beauty (or lack thereof) of the adult--but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. Thanks for pointing out the location of the eyes--good information--thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen an unattractive insect :)
ReplyDeleteGotta disagree
DeleteI agree
DeleteHey thanks! We got one of these ugly critters in our house this morning and were frantically searching to find out what it was! Your site was really helpful.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Similar to Solarservant, we found 3 in our house in Tucson over the last 3 weeks and were also trying to identify them. We had the pinkish variation in our home. Thanks for your help!
ReplyDeleteSame here, I just found three in one night in my apartment in Central Tucson… thank you for all knowledgeable information!
DeleteYou're very welcome, thank you for sharing your own experience!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's June 2014 and I found two of these beautiful caterpillars in the last week in our home in Mesa AZ. One was already cocooned in an inappropriate place in the carpet and had to be taken outside before our curious dogs decided to taste it. We do have couple of big and a few more very small palms in our gardens, so after an hour of searching I think I have the answer to what they are. I'm going to give suitable housing to one on some tissue paper in a a small glass and see whether we can witness its metamorphosis, after which, if successful, we will liberate it to begin the cycle again on the neighbourhood palms.
ReplyDeleteDo I have to feed it, or is it packed with rich country goodness sufficient to see it through it cycle?
If it is already in a cocoon, then it will not feed any more. Good luck with raising it. Should not be a problem to get a moth out of it.
DeleteThank you for your reply. The first one, the cocooned on that escaped from its cocoon when I tried to pick it up, I released into a non-palm tree in the garden. The one I have now has worked its way between the two plys of a non-medicated Kleenex and seems content. Would it help if I put some carpet fibres in the glass for it to use? I'd like to see it fulfill its cycle.
ReplyDeleteIt should need nothing else.
DeleteThey are not poisonous (to eat) or venomous (stinging hairs) to my knowledge.
ReplyDeleteWe had a full on infestation of these last year in June, and just today found 3... Here we go again!
ReplyDeleteI have the rascals sneaking in to my ground floor apt. Any idea how to remove the red spots they leave behind on drapes?
ReplyDeleteNo, I'm sorry, but I would suspect the spots are a protein, so any protein-removing solvent should work.
DeleteI found one still in the larve form. Is there anything i can do to help keep it alive?
ReplyDeleteIf it was not on a palm tree, then it is done feeding and is ready to make a cocoon.
DeleteSneaky lol fellas crawling on my arm indoors a couple days after the palm trees were pruned out back bllllleAch
ReplyDeleteWhat is the reddish liquid ejected when picked up or moved??
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. Some caterpillars will regurgitate their stomach contents in self-defense, though.
Deletehello I have an infestation of these in my house they are coming a palm tree on the sidewalk. I've had them for years and they cocoon on everything from blankets to clothing. I need to figure out how to get rid of them. PLEASE HELP!
ReplyDeleteWe have them coming off a few palms in the back yard. How do I eliminate these pests?
ReplyDeleteI never give pest control advice....and our respective definitions of "pest" clearly differ.
DeleteHow long does it take for them to be done cocooning? How long do they stay in the cocoon before coming out a moth?
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know, but suspect if varies considerably depending on the climate, other factors.
DeleteI'm absolutely terrified of bugs of all kinds and the pain of being bit, and the allergic reaction that usually follows. I just found one in my bed yesterday and would prefer natural solutions. If they stay outside fine, but inside they ARE pests. I can not sleep with the possibility of something crawling on me. How do I keep them outside without ever having to see or touch one? Parents are useless and won't help me, as they never get bit by anything, I have the special blood in the house. Will keeping my light on while I sleep help? I'm desperate and need solutions quick. Please, please, please help!
ReplyDeleteOur caterpillars/grubs are more whitish but seem to come off a trimmed palm tree. They're about 1-1.5" in length. Think it's the same critter as posted here? Also, they're crawling all over our outside walls and ceiling.
ReplyDeleteProbably the same thing, yes, but I'd have to see specimens to tell for certain.
DeleteHello I found one of these lil guys he didn't look too good was very lethargic and keeps rolling around spazing out , I don't know much about this type of caterpillar and in fact it took me some researching just to find out which one I had lol but assuming he has yet to finish his munchies before pupating what can I feed this lil guy if I can't get him to his primary food source... I put a few veggies and a piece of grape for the time being figured he'd know what he wants if presented with it... But I would really appreciate the help..how do I know if he's trying to pupate ,is hurt, sick, or dying ...no goo from anywhere...but he's acting really odd...
ReplyDeleteDo they spaz out when they are about to make the cocoon ?
How can I help the lil guy!!
I find them to be spastic period! I honestly wouldn't try to "help" it, you risk getting bitten (which is more startling than painful, but still). Good luck, and thank you for caring!
DeleteWow, my home is being invaded, and idk where they are coming from! great help.
ReplyDelete