Order Lepidoptera
Family Limacodidae
Caterpillar
This colourful caterpillar belongs in the family Limacodidae. It is typical of this family to move like slugs, that is why the name. They secrete a semiliquid substance which enhances sliding on the substrate. Caterpillars in this family may be very colourful like this one or of very modest colouring. The colourful ones are armed with itching spines or may be toxic or be unpallatable or the three together. Colours are very conspicuous and call the attention of predators but at the same time warn them not to predate on them. The ones wiith a modest colouration have no spines. Being cryptic, that is passing unnoticed, is their best weapon.