Phobetron hipparchia (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) associated with Syzygium aqueum (Myrtaceae) and Theobroma cacao (Malvaceae) in Villa Lucre, Panama

Abstract

The Limacodidae family (Lepidoptera), widely distributed in the Neotropics, includes species whose larval stages are equipped with stinging spines, capable of affecting people by erucism. In urban environments, it is relatively common to find the presence of these insects, especially associated with ornamental plants and backyard fruit trees. In Villa Lucre, San Miguelito district, Panama (UTM 17 P 666708 1001372), larvae similar to “spiders” were found, dark brown and ocher in color, feeding respectively on the foliage of Syzygium aqueum (Burm.f.) Alston (Myrtaceae) and Theobroma cacao Linnaeus (Malvaceae), so the aim of the study was to identify these insects. The research was descriptive, exploratory and conservationist in nature, so a photographic record was kept of the caterpillars found in S. aqueum (June 30, 2019) and T. cacao (December 16, 2024). Specialized literature was consulted for taxonomic identification. According to the results, both caterpillar morphotypes correspond to the species Phobetron hipparchia (Cramer, 1777) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), whose distribution includes countries such as Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina; being a polyphagous insect that feeds on plants from the families Arecaceae, Clusiaceae, Anacardiaceae, Moraceae, Erythroxylaceae, Fabaceae, Rosaceae, Fagaceae, Myrtaceae, Malvaceae, among others. People who reside in urban and peri-urban environments with backyard fruit trees or ornamental plants are recommended to avoid direct contact with these insects and seek medical attention if symptoms become complicated after the erucism accident.