Peruvian Amazon's Jewel Caterpillar: The Forest Nudibranch

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There were many fascinating finds during my week-long stay in Tambopata Research Center of the Peruvian Amazon, and one of the most bizarre had to be what we called the jewel caterpillar. These larvae from the Dalceridae family are also nicknamed the nudibranch of the rainforest, the walking diamond, the slug caterpillar, and sometimes even referred to as the goo-spines. Regardless of the name, seeing them in real life was an awesome treat!

This post will also feature some of the other interesting caterpillars that we've spotted during this trip. Unfortunately, most are not identified yet. Appreciate any input for them!

Thanks to Jeff Cremer and Vico Moscoso for ploughing through the trails with me!

1. Jewel caterpillar (Dalceridae) Buy this Photo
   The glassy, gooey surface makes the jewel caterpillar a sight to behold.


2. Jewel caterpillar (Dalceridae) Buy this Photo
   Lateral view. Does it look like jelly as well? The adult fuzzy moth is not as spectacular, so I could not find it in my photo archive to show here.


3. Jewel caterpillar (Dalceridae) Buy this Photo
   Close up on the goo-spines. Such squeee.


4. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
   After the gooey, here's the hairy! Though the hair is not as thick as the Donald Trump Caterpillar, it was quite a tuft and made me want to avoid touching it.


5. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
   Tried looking for the face, but everything was covered. Not even sure if I got the front or rear!


6. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
   A majestically decorated head of this caterpillar reminded me of the Plain Nawab shot in Singapore.


7. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
   Dorsal view looks very plain. If anything, it might be camouflaging itself as a stick.


8. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
   Lateral view, showing the ear-like endings on the head.


9. Bird dung caterpillarBuy this Photo
   This poop pile is a caterpillar as well! Remaining coiled up and motionless, coupled with the wet and knobbly appearance, it certainly looked like bird dung from afar.


10. Bird dung caterpillarBuy this Photo
    Dorsal view reveals a swollen posterior.


11. Bird dung caterpillarBuy this Photo
    Not too enthusiastic about walking, as it got disturbed and trudged away.


12. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Another super spiny candidate with feathery tips to the spines.


13. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Do not touch. :)


14. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Interesting looking one with a posterior dorsal horn, as well as one in the anterior half of its body.


15. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Spotted on one of our night walks was this giant green fuzzy cat!


16. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    It was around 3 inches long.


17. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Dropped to the ground, so we picked it up with a stick to shoot the ventral view.


18. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    With a close up to the head, sticking out like a sore thumb.


19. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    The close up on the feet was quite fascinating as well!


20. Snake mimic chrysalis (Catonephele orites) Buy this Photo
    A mind-boggling chrysalis that appears to look like the head of a snake.


21. Snake mimic chrysalis (Catonephele orites) Buy this Photo
    Let's just pretend that we're looking into the face of the snake.


22. Snake mimic chrysalis (Catonephele orites) Buy this Photo
    Lateral view. Actually, it reminded me of some cartoon shark.


23. Snake mimic chrysalis (Catonephele orites) Buy this Photo
    Found at least 2 of these in our night walks.


24. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Looks like a common looking caterpillar from afar, but on closer observation, there were numerous white vein-like patterns "growing" out from the sides!


25. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Lateral view. Perhaps it was preparing for the next instar.


26. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Close up of the head!


27. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Also highly reflective, but nothing of the likes of the dalcerid.


28. CaterpillarBuy this Photo
    Yet another do-not-touch caterpillar!

I spent most of my time checking out spiders, and these caterpillars were just some of the interesting ones that we found along the way. Given more time in the field, I'm sure that the Peruvian Amazon would be able to offer a lot more rare and beautiful finds!

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