Answer to the Monday Night Mystery

What was that bizarre balloon-spangled creature?

It's the larva of a Theope butterfly in the family Riodinidae. Here is the full photo, from Panama:

Theope, tended by Azteca velox

An infinite number of highly valuable Myrmecos Points(â¢) go to commentator JasonC, who not only identified the larva but researched the function of the balloons.

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Great Job Jason! I love you!

By Jessica S. (not verified) on 03 Mar 2010 #permalink