Dalceridae

Adults distinguished from other zygaenoid families by combination of small to medium size and very hairy bodies. Larvae uniquely identified among slug caterpillar families by the presence of a colorful bead-like gelatinous mass covering the exoskeleton, differing from the stinging setae of Megalopygidae and the more typical slug-like form of Limacodidae. Family placement within Zygaenoidea requires dissection or molecular analysis; superficially similar to Limacodidae and Megalopygidae in larval form.

Primarily Neotropical region; a few species extend into the far southern Nearctic region.

Female Dalceridae possess accessory glands that apply a rapidly drying liquid to eggs; the function of this liquid remains unknown but has been theorized to provide structural strength, adhesive properties, or protection from egg parasites.

• LimacodidaeSister taxon with similarly slug-like larvae; distinguished by Dalceridae larvae having gelatinous bead-like covering rather than typical limacodid larval form.
• MegalopygidaeSister taxon with slug-like larvae; distinguished by Dalceridae larvae having gelatinous bead-like covering rather than the dense stinging setae characteristic of megalopygid larvae.
• EpipyropidaeRelated family; formerly included genus Protacraga which is now assigned to Epipyropidae, whose larvae are typically parasites rather than free-living.

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
• New insights and renewed focus on the behavioural and mechanical traits of the larvae of the limacodid-group and related families (Lepidoptera: Aididae, Anomoeotidae, Dalceridae, Himantopteridae, Limacodidae, Megalopygidae, and Somabrachyidae)