This post is also available in:
Spanish
This exotic and rather scary caterpillar (6-inches long!) was recently spotted crawling about on Casa de Campo’s most famous golf course – the Teeth of the Dog. And so understandably quiet struck by not only it’s size, but also it’s bright coloring, we snapped a few photos and did a little research to find out a little more about this magnificent beast!
Asking around, we soon realized that these creepy crawlies can actually been found all over Casa de Campo and indeed the entire Dominican Republic. In fact the The Frangipani Caterpillars, scientifically known as the Pseudosphinx Tetrio are a very common species in the Caribbean.
Their main host plant is the Plumeria, whose flower is also known as the Frangipani, which is how this caterpillar got its name. Although they feed on various plants, the Plumeria is their meal of choice, they drink the latex found in their leaves, which makes them toxic to predators. Their distinctive coloring is thought to mimic a coral snake, not only being velvety black with yellow rings and an orange head, but because they wave their heads back and forth just like a coral snake when disturbed.
Frangipani flowers
Don’t touch! The frangipani caterpillars bite when handled. However if you are bitten – don’t panic – their bright colors do not warn that their bite is venomous, but rather act as a warning to predators that they themselves are toxic to eat.
Later in life, the Frangipani Caterpillars become a hawkmoths.