''Hylesia nigricans'' is a species of

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...

of the family Saturniidae. It is a nocturnal moth endemic to Argentina and Brazil. It can be found mainly in the north and center of Argentina, the south of

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

and the south of Brazil, due to climatic factors which favor its reproduction. The species was first described by

Carlos Berg Carlos Berg ( lv, Kārlis Bergs, german: Karl Berg) or Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Berg ( lv, Frīdrihs Vilhelms Kārlis Bergs, german: Friedrich Wilhelm Karl Berg) (21 March 1843, Courland – 19 January 1902 Buenos Aires) was an Argentinian natu ...

in 1875. The female adult can reach an average wingspan of 45 mm. Its larvae have an average length of 40 to 45 mm, with black and yellow bodies covered by urticating hairs which, upon contact with skin, produce irritation, causing an extended dermatitis. The larvae are known in Spanish as gata peluda (hairy cat) or bicho quemador (burning bug). The adult is a dark-colored moth - which is where its name comes from - with the back of its abdomen covered by smooth golden hairs. It possesses a voracious appetite, attacking fruit bearing, ornamental and forest plants. It was declared a national plague in Argentina in 1911. There exists a range of chemical products aimed at controlling their development.

Life cycle

The eggs are laid in overlapping layers of up to 900, protected by a yellow cocoon built by the female using her secretions and abdominal hairs. During the spring (October to December), 200 to 740 of these eggs hatch. Once the larvae are born, they slither in large groups along tree trunks, branches and leaves, usually causing vast defoliation. Before pupation, the larva gathers leaves and adheres them together with its bodily secretions to form a cocoon, situated either on a plant or among the leaves on the ground. It remains immobile in its pupal state during the winter.

References

External links

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Global Species: ''Hylesia nigricans''

Zipcode Zoo Taxonomy

Occurrence of Lepidopterism caused by the moth ''Hylesia nigricans''
{{Taxonbar , from=Q4374580 Saturniidae Lepidoptera of Argentina Moths described in 1875 Moths of South America