Darna pallivitta (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) nettle caterpillar

"[The nettle caterpillar has] a dark stripe down its back and grow[s] to about one inch in length. It also has light-colored venomous spines and hairs." (HDOA)  "The caterpillars have been found feeding on over 45 species of plants in 22 families...." (HDOA) "...[T]he caterpillar may cause painful stings and may cause allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to the venom." (HDOA) "...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." (HDOA)  "Specimens of a stinging nettle caterpillar were first found infesting rhapis palm at a nursery in Panaewa on the Big Island in September 2001." (HDOA) 

Species description or overview

Stinging caterpillar [Darna pallivitta] "new pest advisory" from HDOA 
Stinging caterpillar [Darna pallivitta] is reported in this "new pest advisory" from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

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.

Identification

Taxonomy & nomenclature

Pest alerts

Stinging nettle caterpillar pest alert (Hawaii) from CTAHR 
Stinging nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivitta) information--including identification, life cycle, host plant, and control method details--is provided in this pest alert from the Cooperative Extension Service (CTAHR/University of Hawaii).

Stinging caterpillar [Darna pallivitta] "new pest advisory" from HDOA 
Stinging caterpillar [Darna pallivitta] is reported in this "new pest advisory" from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

Control methods

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.

Identifying sex pheromone components of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta to facilitate monitoring and pheromone disruption control (2005 annual report)   
Nettle caterpillar pheromone research on abdominal tip extracts reveal two active compounds produced by female D. pallivitta which stimulate male moths (USDA).

Sex pheromone component of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta   
The nettle moth pheromone identified will allow rapid detection of this irritant-causing/economically-important invasive pest, and also may provide the basis for control options such as pheromone mating disruption.

Legislation

Distribution

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.

In the news

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 caterpillar may have moved to Maui (Maui News, 18 June 2007)
The invasive stinging nettle caterpillar (Darna pallivita) may have already made its way to Maui, transported on plants from the Big Island.

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.

Stinging caterpillar [Darna pallivitta] expanding its range on the Big Island
"Reports of stinging incidents from the nettle caterpillar are increasing on the east side of the Big Island as infestations of the caterpillar expand," says this 08 September 2005 news release from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).

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).

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