Page 311 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Limacodidae
DISTRIBUTION Southeast Asia, notably Malay Peninsula and Indonesia
HABITAT Forests, but adapted to intensive plantation industries
HOST PLANTS Many, including coconut palm (Cocos spp.), Oil Palm
(Elaeis guineensis), banana (Musa spp.), citrus (Citrus spp.),

co ee (Co ea spp.), and tea (Camellia spp.)
NOTE Stinging caterpillar that has a heavy impact on palm plantations
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but very common with sporadic outbreaks

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅜ in (30–35 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜–1 ⁄ (35–40 mm)
SETORA NITENS
SETORA NITENS 309
WALKER, 1855

Setora nitens caterpillars hatch from between 250 and 350 eggs
laid in chains on palm fronds. The early instar larvae strip the
surface of the leaves only, creating translucent windows in
the fronds and leaving them vulnerable to secondary viral
and fungal infections. The later instars completely strip the
mature fronds before moving to newer growth, causing The Setora nitens caterpillar is block-shaped

substantial yield reductions. There are ve instars over three and deeper than it is broad. The base color
is green with a brown dorsal line broken by
to seven weeks before the larvae descend to the trunk base segmental spots in blue and yellow. There are
or nearby vegetation to pupate; the pupal period lasts from corresponding, similarly colored, oblique
gash-like markings on the sides. The lateral
two-and-a-half to four weeks. spines are small, but the front and rear
dorsolateral spine clusters are large and banded
in black. These spines are normally collapsed
Populations are not constant and can surge in occasional like a wet paintbrush but splayed open like a
pompom when the caterpillar is threatened.
devastating outbreaks during summer months. Like many
limacodids, the caterpillars are vulnerable to parasitic wasps
and flies, as well as predatory pentatomid bugs and assassin
bugs (Reduviidae), and fungal and viral infections, all of which
are employed in biocontrol. Because the larvae have adapted to
modern agricultural practices and emerged as a major defoliator
of palms, affecting the oil palm industry, the species is well
documented. The intense stinging capacity of the caterpillars
can also have an impact on plantation workers.

Actual size