Page 403 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Eastern Africa, from KwaZulu-Natal north to Kenya and Uganda
DIS
HABITAT
HABITAT T Tropical forests and savannahs
HABIT
A
HOS
HOST PLANTS
HOST PLANTS S Privet (Ligustrum spp.), jasmine (Jazminium spp.), and Rhus spp.
T PLANT

TE
NOTE Caterpillars that are polymorphic, taking several di erent forms
NOTE
NO
CONSERV A TION S T A TUS Not evaluated
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS
ADULT WINGSPAN
2–3⅜ in (50–85 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜ in (60 mm)
HOLOCERINA SMILAX
VARIABLE PRINCE SILKMOTH 401
(WESTWOOD, 1849)

When the short string of white-and-brown, marbled eggs of
the Variable Prince Silkmoth begin to hatch, black caterpillars
crawl out. Each sports two bright brown rectangles on its back
as it wanders o to join others of its group on a leaf to feed. After

the larva molts into its second instar, its color becomes one of
several variations acquired among its siblings at that time. When
it has completed only four instars, the caterpillar spins a imsy

cocoon of silk and debris above ground, and the adult moth

emerges about ve weeks later.

This silkmoth caterpillar belongs to the African tribe Ludiini
of the subfamily Saturniinae. Some species of this tribe have
polymorphic caterpillars, and at least three vastly distinct color
patterns have been observed in the Variable Prince Silkmoth

nal instar. The adult moths are also quite dimorphic, with males
and females having di erently shaped wings and coloration.

The caterpillars of this and other species of the Ludiini tribe
possess irritating hairs.

Actual size
The Variable Prince Silkmoth caterpillar may
be white with black bands and reddish head,
or covered with bluish reticulations bordered
with red and a black head, or all black with blue
or red spots. Long, curved hairs sprout from
stubby tubercles on its dorsum and sides,
and white hairs droop over the legs.