Io Moth (Automeris io)
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As with many moths, the fact that they are nocturnal means the adults are rarely seen. The caterpillars of the Io moth, though, feed during the day, secure in their protective covering of spines. Members of the Giant silkworm family, adult Io moths do not feed, but the larvae seem to eat almost anything green. Most herbivorous insects prefer to eat softer foliage, such as the leaves of trees or shrubs. It takes strong jaws to munch through a palmetto leaf, but that is just what the illustrated insect was doing. The spines do cause a painful sting to humans, so caution is advised.
class: Insecta / order: Lepidoptera / family: Saturniidae / genus: Automeris / species: io
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