Megalopyge immaculata
(Cassino, 1928)
Megalopyge immaculata is a in the Megalopygidae, described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1928. Like other members of this family, the larvae are likely to possess venomous urticating spines concealed beneath soft, hair-like setae. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature, with minimal information available regarding its , distribution, or associations.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megalopyge immaculata: /ˌmɛɡəloʊˈpaɪdʒi ˌɪˌmækjuˈleɪtə/
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
More Details
Taxonomic note
This was described by Samuel E. Cassino in 1928, but subsequent literature contains virtually no biological or ecological information. The Megalopyge is better known through the widespread and medically significant species M. opercularis (puss caterpillar/southern flannel moth), which may lead to conflation of traits across species.
Data limitations
Only 9 observations are recorded in iNaturalist as of the knowledge cutoff, and no peer-reviewed studies specifically addressing M. immaculata , plants, or venom chemistry have been identified. The -level trait of venomous larvae is inferred from well-documented but has not been confirmed for this .
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- Catalogue of Life
- Look but do not touch: puss caterpillar, Megalopyge opercularis; White flannel moth, Norape ovina; Io moth, Automeris io; buck moth Hemileuca spp.; and hag moth, Phobetron pithecium — Bug of the Week
- Megalopygidae | Beetles In The Bush
- A flower visiting jewel beetle that is not an Acmaeodera | Beetles In The Bush
- Sunset beetles | Beetles In The Bush
- Bug Eric: A Potential New Host Record for Calliephialtes grapholithae (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) from a Paper Wasp nest (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Polistes metricus)
- Calopterygidae | Beetles In The Bush