Blue Striped Nettle Grub vs Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue Striped Nettle Grub Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar
Scientific Name Parasa lepida Eupithecia staurophragma
Order Lepidoptera Lepidoptera
Family Limacodidae Geometridae
Size 30-40 mm wingspan 20-25 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Herbivores Predators
Regions Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar) Hawaii
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Blue Striped Nettle Grub

A small moth with vivid green forewings edged in dark chocolate brown. The caterpillar is bright green with blue longitudinal stripes and bears venomous urticating spines that cause intense pain.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar's sting is so painful it is compared to a wasp sting, and the venomous spines can cause welts lasting several days.

Hawaiian Carnivorous Caterpillar

A remarkable moth whose caterpillars are ambush predators of insects, unique among Lepidoptera. Found only in Hawaiian native forests.

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Did You Know?

These are among the only caterpillars in the world that actively hunt and eat other insects.