Page 260 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nymphalidae
DISTRIBUTION Central Europe, through central Asia and southern Russia
to Japan, and south to Southeast Asia
HABITAT Damp, temperate woodlands and tropical rain forests
up to 3,950 ft (1,200 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Pea (Lathyrus spp.) and Black Locust (Robinia pseudacacia)
NOTE Oddly shaped caterpillar that has disruptive coloring

for camou age
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common across its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅞ in (40–48 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 in (25 mm)
NEPTIS SAPPHO
COMMON GLIDER
258
(PALLAS, 1771)

Common Glider caterpillars hatch from round eggs laid by the
female in shady places on the upper surface of leaves of the host
plant. Each egg is covered with a network of hexagonally shaped
ridges, which bear tiny hairs. The young caterpillars shelter
within curled-up leaves and emerge to feed on the leaf, leaving
the midrib, along which they rest. Their body has a disruptive
outline, which provides excellent camouflage among dead
leaves. The larvae overwinter and pupate the following spring.
The pupa has the appearance of a dried-up leaf suspended
from a stem.

The Common Glider completes its development in just ve to

six weeks, so there are as many as four generations a year, and
the adults y from April to September. Also known as the Pallas

Sailor, the species gets its common names from the butter y’s

Actual size powerful gliding or sailing style of ight.

The Common Glider caterpillar has an unusual
shape and coloration, with bands of olive green
and brown that provide a disruptive shape,
especially when the abdomen is raised. The body
is covered in short, white hairs, and there are
spines on the thorax and abdomen.