Page 255 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION South and Southeast Asia
HABITAT Glades and clearings in heavily forested regions with
heavy rainfall
HOST PLANTS Rubiaceae, including Cinchona spp. and Wendlandia spp.;
also Capparaceae

NOTE Camou aged caterpillar that uses its frass to deter predators
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but most common of its genus

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–3 in (60–75 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
¾–⅞ in (20–22 mm)
MODUZA PROCRIS
COMMANDER 253

(CRAMER, 1777)

Commander larvae emerge from spiny, green eggs—resembling
tiny sea urchins—which the butter y lays on the underside of

leaves near the shoot tip up to four days earlier. The fast-growing
and bizarre-looking caterpillar has an unusual defensive strategy.
It partially consumes a leaf, and then combines its excreted frass
with bits of chewed leaf to create a long chain held together with Actual size
silk thread. The chain, together with scattered frass, which is
believed to contain toxins, acts as a barrier to deter ants and other
predatory insects from reaching the caterpillar while it rests.

Mature caterpillars may move some distance from the host plant
to pupate on the ground in the leaf litter. The brown pupa is
camou aged with lines and markings to resemble a rolled-up

dead leaf. The colorful, red, brown, and white butter ies are The Commander caterpillar has an unusual
most commonly seen after the monsoon and in winter. The appearance that provides e ective camou age.
It is chestnut brown in color with darker spots,
Commander is the most common and widespread of the nine and Its body is covered in thick tubercles that
Moduza species. bear many spiny processes, giving it a spiky
outline. This helps to disrupt its shape when
resting and may reduce predation.