Page 372 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION Madagascar and the Comoros Islands
HABITAT Wet and dry forests
HOST PLANTS Many trees and shrubs, including Oleander (Nerium oleander),
privet (Ligustrum spp.), willow (Salix spp.), and beech (Fagus spp.)
NOTE Variably colored silkmoth caterpillar that forms an edible pupa
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but generally common

ADULT WINGSPAN
4–5 in (100–130 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜–2¾ in (60–70 mm)
ANTHERINA SURAKA
SURAKA SILKMOTH
370
(BOISDUVAL, 1833)

The colors of Suraka Silkmoth caterpillars vary considerably,
ranging from black with orange spines to green with pink spines.
The larvae consume a large amount of vegetation from many

The Suraka Silkmoth caterpillar is variably different host plants and develop rapidly, taking only about
colored but often bright green or yellow green three to four weeks from rst instar to pupation, depending on

with pink spines. The spines are reduced
laterally but prominent dorsally. Laterally temperature, with many caterpillars dying at low temperatures.
on each segment there is a distinctive, small,
yellow, triangle-shaped patch, strongly edged Pupation takes place in a strongly built cocoon on the ground
posteriorly in black. A few black spots occur under the host plant.
below the yellow triangle, and the prolegs
and true legs are black.
In Madagascar, cocoons from the Suraka Silkmoth are used
for silk production. Although the silk is less strong than
that obtained from the Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori),
it is still of significant value. The pupae of Antherina suraka
are edible and used increasingly in Madagascar as a source of
protein. These silk and food properties have led to the species

becoming a focus of conservation e orts to restore forests on
the vast island, with local cooperatives beginning to grow
forest trees for the cultivation of A. suraka.

Actual size