Stinging-hairs
Guides
Harrisina metallica
Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Moth, Western Grapeleaf Skeletonizer
Harrisina metallica is a day-flying moth in the family Zygaenidae, commonly known as the western grapeleaf skeletonizer. Adults are deep metallic blue in color and exhibit wasp-mimicry, resembling spider wasps in the family Pompilidae. The species is found in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Larvae are specialized feeders on grape leaves and Parthenocissus species, skeletonizing foliage by consuming tissue between leaf veins. Caterpillars possess stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in humans.
Parasa
slug moths
Parasa is a pantropical genus of slug moths (family Limacodidae) characterized by adults with green-banded forewings and larvae possessing stinging hairs. The genus was established by Frederic Moore in 1860 and contains numerous species distributed across Asia, the Americas, and other tropical regions. Recent taxonomic revisions have clarified the identity of the type species P. chloris and used DNA barcoding to resolve relationships among morphologically similar species. The genus includes both generalist and specialist herbivores, with at least one species documented as the first conifer-feeding specialist in the family.