I got your back: my movies and research on the evolution of defense and locomotion of slug and nettle caterpillar moths (Lepidoptera_ Limacodidae) 1989-present

Dr. Marc Epstein 
Senior Insect Biosystematist, 
California Department of Food & Agriculture; 
Research Associate, Smithsonian Institution 

Dr. Epstein’s job with the State of California is to identify Lepidoptera (moths) in California that threaten the state’s economy, mainly as threats to agriculture. He is on the watch for invasive pests from all over the world as well as domestic species. These invasive moths are often brought into California on trucks, on boats, and on the bottom of bee hive boxes. Scattered through his presentation are some surprising facts about moths; for example, there are 200,000 species of moths and, in the pre-adult stage, they must shed their skin 10 to 12 times in order to grow. He shows brief movies to demonstrate the locomotion of various species and some of the mechanisms they have developed to defend themselves. 

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Recorded: April 19, 2013