Page 245 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Temperate and tropical Asia, as far north as southeast Siberia
DIS
HABIT A T Forests, usually at higher elevations
HABITAT
HABITAT
HOST PLANTS S Smilax spp. and Heterosmilax spp.
T PLANT
HOST PLANTS
HOS

NOTE
NO TE Fierce-looking caterpillar that becomes a erce-acting butter y
NOTE
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated, but locally common
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–2¾ in (60–70 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (40 mm)
KANISKA CANACE
BLUE ADMIRAL 243
(LINNAEUS, 1763)

The eggs of the Blue Admiral are laid on the leaves of host
plants singly, enabling a wider distribution of the progeny.

The larvae feed and develop through ve instars over 23 days.
In the later stages, the caterpillars rest on the undersides of
leaves, adopting a characteristic U-shape when they are not
feeding or when they are disturbed. Despite having a formidable
set of spines, the caterpillar is harmless. When mature, it pupates
in a spiky, ocherous chrysalis on the host plant stem or adjacent
branches, and the adult ecloses after 12 days. There can be
multiple generations throughout the year.

The Blue Admiral, a powerful and acrobatic yer, is insanely
territorial and spends most of its time patrolling a de ned area

chasing o other butter ies—and even challenging people by

apping in their faces. Kaniska canace is the only species of its

genus, but there are numerous subspecies, some of which are

colored di erently in their larval stages.

The Blue Admiral caterpillar is a striking
orange or yellow color. The colored segments
have multiple black spots. These alternate
with black-streaked white segments. Each
orange band bears a ring of seven white,
Actual size branching, black-tipped, non-stinging spines.
The head capsule is orange and black with
numerous long setae.