The Dalceridae are a small family of zygaenoid moths with some 80 known species encompassing about one dozen genera mostly found in the Neotropical region with a few reaching the far south of the Nearctic region.
These are generally small or medium-sized moths with very hairy bodies. The larvae are rather slug-like and, along with the larvae of the sister taxa Limacodidae and Megalopygidae, are often known as slug caterpillars. More specifically, they are also called jewel caterpillars due to the colorful bead-like gelatinous mass covering the exoskeleton of many species.
Female Dalceridae have "accessory glands" that apply a rapidly drying liquid to the eggs.Scott E. Miller, Unique Secondary “Accessory Glands” in the Female Genitalia of Dalceridae (Lepidoptera), Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 86, Issue 2, 1 March 1993, Pages 179–181 doi:10.1093/aesa/86.2.179 The function of the liquid is unknown but it is theorized that it may provide strength to eggs, help glue the eggs in place, or offer protection from egg parasites.
Taxonomy and systematics
More than half the described species are in genus Acraga. Apart from this and Dalcerides, all genera have less than 10 known species as of 2016, and some are monotypic. Two subfamilies are usually recognized:
Subfamily Acraginae Acraga (including Anacraga and Dalargentina) Dalcerides (including Acragopsis) Zikanyrops
Subfamily Dalcerinae Ca Dalcera Dalcerina (including Zadalcera) Minacraga Minacragides Minonoa Oroya Paracraga
The genus Protacraga, formerly placed here, is now usually assigned to the related family Epipyropidae whose caterpillars are usually parasites.
References
Family description at Jamaica Moths