Is it even an insect?

[recoilrob]

While picking some basil leaves for dinner last night I noticed what looked like a tiny cartoon character on the bottom of one of the leaves. Closer inspection revealed this little guy. He didn't move the entire time I was photographing him, I has picked the leaf and was carrying him around while picture taking.

The overall length was about 1/2-5/8". I live about 40 miles north of New York City. I suspect the tend with the two white spots is the head, the other end with the multiple appendages, the rear. May be hard to see in the photos but it has multiple feet on each side, each with multiple appendages, almost like white hairs.

At first I thought "what a neat insect" but now I'm not so sure, maybe a juvenile moth, a caterpillar, perhaps some sort of tiny slug? Appreciate a positive ID.


thanks,

Rob

[africaone]

it is a limacodid larva ...

[recoilrob]

Thanks so much for the ID. I found this about Sibine stimulea (Clemens)
www.silkmoths.bizland.com/Sabinestimulea.htm once I knew what to look for, good thing I didn't touch it. Much prettier when young than adults, but aren't we all....