Diet

• The caterpillars of Megalopygidae feed primarily on the foliage of trees and shrubs, although some species use herbaceous plants.

• Host-plant use varies among genera and species, and some Neotropical species have particularly broad ranges of larval food plants.

Habitat

• The caterpillars occur in forests, woodland edges, scrub, gardens, orchards and other habitats supporting suitable trees and shrubs.

• Many species are associated with deciduous vegetation, while tropical and subtropical species occur in forest and secondary vegetation.

• They can also occur in disturbed and cultivated habitats where suitable host plants are present.

Description

• Megalopygid caterpillars are typically stout and densely covered with long, soft, silky hairs, giving them a characteristic furry or flannel-like appearance.

• Beneath the soft hairs are shorter urticating spines connected to venom-producing structures. These spines can cause painful reactions when the caterpillar is touched.

• Larval colours vary considerably among species and may include cream, grey, brown, yellow, orange, black or combinations of these colours.

• Some species have elongated tufts of hairs extending beyond the rear of the body, while others have contrasting bands, spots or coloured hair tufts.

• The head and legs are often largely concealed beneath the dense covering of hairs.

• The family is particularly distinctive among moth caterpillars because of the combination of a dense, soft-looking coat and concealed defensive spines.