Page 384 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION Pakistan, north India, China, Burma, and Thailand
HABITAT Mountain forests at lower elevations
HOST PLANTS Walnut (Juglans regia), oak (Quercus spp.), and plum
(Prunus spp.)
NOTE Spring silkmoth caterpillar that hatches from an
overwintering egg
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
4⅞–5 in (125–149 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
4⅛ in (105 mm)
CALIGULA SIMLA
CALIGULA SIMLA
382
(WESTWOOD, 1847)

The Caligula simla silkmoth follows a seasonal pattern that

di ers from that of many other species. Instead of breeding in
the spring, C. simla adults emerge in the fall, mate, and lay eggs
that overwinter and hatch in the spring. The tiny caterpillars
of the rst instar are black, and subsequent instars are colorful

combinations of green, blue, red, yellow, black, and white—
very di erent from the mature caterpillars. Later, a silk cocoon

The Caligula simla caterpillar is large, mostly of open web netting is spun, and the caterpillar, and soon the
green with a light blue dorsum and a narrow, pupa, can be easily seen inside.
yellow stripe below the spiracles, which are dark
blue ovals with turquoise borders. The dorsum
sprouts dense, long, light blue hair. The feet and
head are brownish orange. Shorter sti , yellow Other members of the worldwide subfamily (Saturniinae) of
hairs cover the lower sides, legs, and claspers silkmoths to which the Caligula simla moth belongs, including
at the rear.
the Peacock Moth (Macaria notata) of Europe and the Luna Moth
(Actias luna) and Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus) of
North America, share similar shapes and patterns. These usually
include a prominent round “eyespot” ringed with various colors
on each wing. The caterpillars of some species are mildly
stinging, and all species make silk cocoons.

Actual size