Page 241 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION Madagascar, India, Southeast Asia, Chinese Taipei, southern
Japan, New Guinea, Australia, and islands of the South Paci c,

east to French Polynesia and Easter Island
HABITAT Savannahs and open woodlands, particularly in tropical and
subtropical areas
HOST PLANTS Wide range from at least nine families, but commonly joyweed
(Alternanthera spp.) and Common Asystasia (Asystasia gangetica)
NOTE Caterpillar that is gregarious in the early instars
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common in tropical and subtropical areas

ADULT WINGSPAN
3–3⅜ in (76–86 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2 ⁄ in (53 mm)
HYPOLIMNAS BOLINA
VARIED EGGFLY 239

(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Varied Egg y caterpillars hatch from eggs that are laid in batches
on the underside of leaves of the food plant. The caterpillars
feed gregariously when young but singly when mature. Feeding
occurs at night, and caterpillars may hide some distance from
their food plant during the day. In tropical areas, caterpillars can
be found throughout the year, and the larval stage can last as little
as three weeks. The pupa is attached to a silk pad and suspended
by the cremaster on or near the food plant.

Some populations of the Varied Egg y, also known as the Great
Eggfly or Blue Moon, have been known to produce mainly

female o spring because of the presence of Wolbachia bacteria,
which kill male caterpillars in the egg. Although the species is
not migratory, specimens are occasionally recorded well outside
their normal breeding areas. The adult butter ies are found in

moist gullies and urban gardens. The males are territorial and
will guard a particular perch even after being disturbed by other

intruding butter ies.

The Varied Egg y caterpillar is brown or black,
with a yellowish-orange ventrolateral line, and
each segment has several brownish-orange,
branched spines. The head is orange with two
long, black, bristly spines and a lateral black
spot near the eyes.

Actual size