Page 410 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturniidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern China, Southeast Asia
HABITAT Mostly upper mountain forests
HOST PLANTS Various vines; in captivity it is reared on grapevines (Vitis spp.)
NOTE Caterpillar whose shape and pose blend with vines
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
2¾–3½ in (70–90 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3 in (75 mm)
LOEPA MEGACORE
LOEPA MEGACORE
408
JORDAN, 1911

The Loepa megacore silkmoth caterpillar is entirely black when
it hatches. It soon locates its siblings, all of which hatch during
the morning of the same day, and joins their group to start
feeding at the edge of a leaf. The caterpillar undergoes five
instars, shedding the old skin after each instar. In later instars,
it appears brownish black with a row of green triangles on each
side. At the end of the fth instar, it makes a narrow cocoon,

pointed at both ends, and pupates inside.

There are up to 45 species of Loepa spread across Southeast
Asia and Malaysia to India, many identi ed by genetic studies.

The caterpillars and adults of most species are very similar
in appearance. In spite of the popularity generated among
collectors and insect-rearing hobbyists by Loepa species,
there is little information available regarding the habits of this
spectacular and widespread yellow and pink silkmoth genus.

Actual size The Loepa megacore caterpillar is dark grayish
brown, covered with black ligree and broad,
black patches surrounding the spiracles and
extending to the abdominal prolegs. Harmless
dorsal rosettes of black spines, and longer black
and gray hairs, bestow a shaggy appearance.
The head is black, and there is a series of green,
triangular lines each side of the body.