A Beautifully Disconcerting Monkey Slug Caterpillar Disguising Itself As a Big Hairy Tarantula Spider

While filming in the Amazon Rainforest of Puyo, Ecuador, talented nature photographer David Weiller (previously) captured beautifully disconcerting footage of a monkey slug caterpillar. This particular larva of the hag moth is rather distinctive, disguising itself to look more like a scary combination of a tarantula and a slug rather than the gentle being that it normally is.

This mesmerizing caterpillar mimics a hairy tarantula spider with its oddly long hairy arms curling out. When looking at the underside, it looks like a slug with its suction cups prolegs and its tiny legs. This caterpillar is the larvae of the hag moth.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.