Page 492 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Geometridae
TRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION Parts of Southeast Asia and northern Australia
DIS
DISTRIBUTION
HABIT
A
HABITAT T Tropical rain forests
HABITAT
HOST PLANTS S Carallia brachiata
T PLANT
HOST PLANTS
HOS
NOTE
NO
NOTE Caterpillar that, when resting, can resemble a catkin
TE
T
CONSERV
A
TION S
TUS
A
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated
ADULT WINGSPAN
3–3⅛ in (75–80 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜ in (60 mm)
DYSPHANIA FENESTRATA
FOUR O’CLOCK MOTH
490
SWAINSON, 1833
The Four O’Clock Moth caterpillar takes on an unusual position
while resting on the food plant. It has a short thorax, so the legs
are tight together, and a long, slender abdomen with two pairs
of claspers at the rear, which the caterpillar uses to suspend its
body from the leaf and hold it steady, so that it looks like a catkin.
The larvae feed primarily on the leaves of Carallia brachiata,
a small rain forest tree, and in groups may completely defoliate
the tree. The mature caterpillar pupates in a fold of a leaf, which
it holds in place with silk threads.

The brightly colored, day- ying moth adult gets its name from
the time that it tends to appear, later afternoon, hence “Four
O’Clock.” It is also known as the Peacock Jewel. The caterpillar
is equally brightly colored, a clear warning that it is distasteful
and should be avoided by predators.

Actual size

The Four O’Clock Moth caterpillar has a
yellow-orange head and bright yellow body.
There are rows of black spots along the length
of the body, which are small on the thorax but
larger on the abdomen. The legs and prolegs
are yellow red. The body terminates in a large
pair of claspers.