Page 418 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Saturnidae
DISTRIBUTION Mexico, south through Central America (Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama)
HABITAT Dry and rain forests at mid elevations of 4,000–5,000 ft
(1,220–1,525 m)
HOST PLANTS Oak (Quercus oleoides)
NOTE Silkmoth caterpillar found in the crowns of Central
American oaks
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
3⅛–4¼ in (80–110 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3½–3¾ in (90–95 mm)
OTHORENE VERANA
OTHORENE VERANA
416
SCHAUS, 1900

Othorene verana caterpillars hatch from large, pale green eggs,
laid by the female silkmoth about a week earlier. The larvae
consume a vast quantity of host plant leaves, rst instars eating

from the leaf edges while later instars devour entire leaves. The
caterpillars are generally solitary and grow rapidly, developing
through ve instars and reaching maturity in about four weeks.

Mature larvae raise the anterior portion of their body when
resting. Pupation takes place underground, and there appear to
be at least two generations annually in most of the species’ range.

Females lay their eggs in the rst few hours after sunset. Like the

males, they have short lives, as adult Othorene verana silkmoths
do not feed. There are only four species in the genus Othorene,
all large silkmoths living in Central America. Othorene verana
caterpillars appear to live exclusively in the crowns of their host
trees in mid-elevation dry forests.

The Othorene verana caterpillar is green in
early instars but usually turns orange in later
instars, although some individuals remain
green. Small, white spots adorn the body, and
there is a lateral, pale subspiracular stripe.
The spiracles are slit-like and outlined in black.
Four pairs of orange-red, forward-projecting
tentacles occur anteriorly.

Actual size