Acharia extensa

Acharia extensa is a of slug caterpillar in the Limacodidae. It occurs in Mexico and the southern United States, with records from southern Florida. The larvae feed on a documented range of plants including Inga species, oaks (Quercus), Byrsonima crassifolia, and coffee (Coffea arabica). Like other members of the Acharia, the larvae likely possess stinging spines characteristic of the family.

Acharia extensa by Annika Lindqvist. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acharia extensa: //əˈkɛəriə ɛkˈstɛn.sə//

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Identification

Distinguished from the more widespread Acharia stimulea (saddleback caterpillar) by geographic distribution—A. extensa is primarily documented from Mexico and southern Florida, whereas A. stimulea occurs broadly across eastern North America. Specific larval markings and distinguishing these are not well documented in available sources. The Acharia belongs to the Limacodidae, whose larvae are characterized by reduced and a slug-like locomotion.

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Habitat

Associated with plants including Inga , oaks, Byrsonima crassifolia, and cultivated coffee. Specific preferences beyond host plant associations have not been documented.

Distribution

Mexico and the United States. In the U.S., recorded from the southern tip of Florida.

Diet

Larvae feed on Inga , Quercus species, Byrsonima crassifolia, and Coffea arabica.

Host Associations

Inga - larval food plantmultiple
Quercus - larval food plantoaks
Byrsonima crassifolia - larval food plant
Coffea arabica - larval food plantcultivated coffee

Human Relevance

Potential pest of coffee given documented larval feeding on Coffea arabica. The stinging spines typical of Limacodidae larvae may pose a minor hazard to agricultural and gardeners handling infested plants.

Similar Taxa

Acharia stimuleaCongeneric with similar ('saddleback caterpillar'); A. stimulea is widespread in eastern North America while A. extensa is restricted to Mexico and southern Florida
Other Limacodidae-level traits including slug-like larvae with stinging spines; specific differentiation requires examination of and geographic range

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The Acharia was formerly treated under the synonym Sibine in older literature. Some sources may refer to this as Sibine extensa.

Data Limitations

Most detailed biological information available for the Acharia pertains to A. stimulea. Direct observations and studies specifically targeting A. extensa appear sparse in the accessible literature.