Darna pallivitta
(Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)
nettle caterpillar
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Darna pallivitta
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| HEAR home > species info > invertebrates > Darna pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) |
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The nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta) has a dark stripe down its back and grows to about one inch in length. It also has light-colored venomous spines and hairs. Darna pallivitta caterpillars have been found feeding on over 45 species of plants in 22 families. The caterpillar may cause painful stings and may cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to the venom. Residents in infested areas should consider wearing protective clothing, such as long pants and shirts, gloves, shoes and protective wear for the face and eyes while working in the yard. The nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta, was discovered on the Big Island in 2001 when workers at a Panaewa nursery reported painful stings when handling rhapis palms. The pest was probably introduced through nursery stock imported from Taiwan. By 2009, the nettle caterpillar has become well established in large sections of the Big Island, and has been found on Maui and Oahu. Taxon description: (HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-19.htm, updated 08SEP2005, accessed 22SEP2005); Is it a problem and why: (stings: HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-19.htm, updated 08SEP2005, accessed 22SEP2005; plant damage: HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/npa/npa01-03-netcat.pdf, updated "July 2005," accessed 22SEP2005; residents in infested areas...: HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-19.htm, updated 08SEP2005, accessed 22SEP2005); how/when did it get to Hawaii: (HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/npa/npa01-03-netcat.pdf, updated "July 2005," accessed 22SEP2005); Native to where: "occurs in Southeast Asia" (per HDOA: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-19.htm, news release dated 08SEP2005, accessed 22SEP2005) Darna pallivitta is native to southeast Asia (?).
Darna pallivitta (information from "The Moths of Borneo" website)
Information about Darna pallivitta is presented, including diagnosis, taxonomic notes, geographical range, biology, and host plants.
Nettle caterpillar - New Pest Advisory
Description, distribution, images, and information about biocontrol for Darna pallivitta are in the pest advisory from Hawaii Department of Agriculture (updated 4/2011).
Nettle caterpillar - new pest advisory
Nettle caterpillar's description, images, distribution, and impacts are in this pest advisory from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Nettle caterpillar Darna pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae)-potential biological control agents
Potential biological controls for nettle caterpillar Darna pallivitta in Hawaii are reviewed in this absract of a presentation made to the Entomological Society of America in December, 2005.
Nettle caterpillar biocontrol - 2006 report
A parasitic wasp is being tested as potential biocontrol for the nettle caterpillar, according to this report from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
Invasive nettle moth triggers Hawaii research
Sterilized fruit flies carrying nettle moth pheromone could lead to confusion among nettle moths, disrupting their breeding (USDA Agriculture Research Service, 11/18/2009).
Field release of Aroplectrus dimerus Lin (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for biological control of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), in Hawaii
The Draft Environmental Assessment on the release of a biocontrol agent against the nettle caterpillar was prepared by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch (2007).
Annual report for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for FY2008
The annual report for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for fiscal year 2008 includes information on--among other things--new pest detections and identification, and projects of the branch's Biological Control and Chemical/Mechanical (CM) Sections.
Nettle caterpillar - New Pest Advisory
Description, distribution, images, and information about biocontrol for Darna pallivitta are in the pest advisory from Hawaii Department of Agriculture (updated 4/2011).
Field release of Aroplectrus dimerus Lin (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) for biological control of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta (Moore) (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae), in Hawaii
The draft environmental assessment regarding biological control of the nettle caterpillar was prepared by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (November 2007).
Darna pallivitta information (biocontrol in Hawaii) from HEAR.org
Information about Darna pallivitta as it is relevant to biocontrol (biological control) efforts in Hawaii is provided by the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).
Stinging nettle caterpillar found on Maui
Darna pallivitta, the stinging nettle caterpillar, was found in Haiku, Maui. An overview of the caterpillar invasion in Hawaii is in this news release from the Hawaii DOA (7/13/2007).
Stinging caterpillars turn up on Oahu (KITV News, 7 June 2007)
The stinging nettle caterpillar was found on raphis palms at a central Oahu nursery after workers were stung.
Workers trained to fight Maui's newest pest, the Little Fire Ant
More than 50 State and County workers on Maui gathered for a special training session to battle Maui's the invasive Little Fire Ant, which was discovered on a farm in Waihee in October, 2009 (10/29/2009 mauinow.com).
Wasp could take sting out of caterpillar, 15 June 2008
The state hopes to release a parasitic wasp, Aroplectrus dimerus to attack and kill the nettle caterpillar larvae.
Stinging caterpillar found at Oahu nursery (6/7/2008)
An infestation of nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta) was found on an Oahu nursery after workers reported being stung while moving plants (HDOA news release).
Bugs readied for eco-battle
The erythrina gall wasp, nettle caterpillar, and Madagascar fireweed are Hawaii pests that may be combatted by biocontrol agents if Hawaii receives federal approval for their release (Honolulu Advertiser, 5/11/2008).
Tackling the invasive species crisis in Hawaii
University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture's strategies to combat various invasive species in Hawaii are reviewed (CTAHR Research News, Feb. 2008).
Kauai cracking down on invasive pests
The fire ant and stinging nettle caterpillar are targets of an island-wide survey of every garden store, plant nursery and refuse station on the island of Kauai (10/2007).
Caterpillar pest earns name with way it hurts humans as well as plants
Nettle caterpillar is the topic of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Kiai Moku Maui News column (10/14/2007).
Spiky caterpillar spreads in Haiku, 24 September 2007
The nettle caterpillar has expanded in its range in the Haiku area of Maui, and experts have found it is feeding on guinea grass, making all Maui pastures vulnerable to the pest.
Stinging nettle caterpillar found on Maui
Darna pallivitta, the stinging nettle caterpillar, was found in Haiku, Maui. An overview of the caterpillar invasion in Hawaii is in this news release from the Hawaii DOA (7/13/2007).
Stinging caterpillar may have moved to Maui
"An invasive stinging caterpillar that has plagued Big Island residents since it was first identified there in 2001 may have already made its way to Maui."
Stinging caterpillars strike at nursery (Honolulu Star Bulletin, 17 June 2007)
Stinging nettle caterpillars were found in a Central Oahu nursery, where workers reported getting stung. Plant material from the Big Island is the suspected source of the infestation. Bait stations and other control measures are being implemented.
Invasive stinging caterpillar found on Oahu
Honolulu Advertiser (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/)
Stinging caterpillars turn up on Oahu (KITV News, 7 June 2007)
The stinging nettle caterpillar was found on raphis palms at a central Oahu nursery after workers were stung.
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