Page 552 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION The Himalayas, northeast India, southern China, Chinese Taipei,
Borneo, Sulawesi, and southern islands of Japan
HABITAT Low- and medium-altitude montane forests
HOST PLANTS Lichen, moss, and algae

NOTE Hairy caterpillar that grazes micro ora from tree trunks
and branches
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but can be very common

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅛–2⅛ in (55–60 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜–1 ⁄ in (35–40 mm)
CHRYSAEGLIA MAGNIFICA
CHRYSAEGLIA MAGNIFICA
550
(WALKER, 1862)

Chrysaeglia magni ca caterpillars feed on lichens (a symbiosis

of fungi and algae) and their associated mosses and algae.
As a result, the larvae are not routinely found on foliage except
perhaps to molt or pupate. They graze on tree trunks, rocks,
and even man-made structures, where such micro ora abound,

usually in damp, dark habitats. Their diet makes them distasteful
to potential predators and they confer that defense to the adult
moths. The nature and composition of the caterpillar diet,
which is not highly nutritious, also means that the larval stage is
prolonged. The caterpillars relocate to feed or pupate, escaping
threats by descending on silken lines.

Pupation occurs beneath a silken sheet on the surface of a leaf.
The adult moths are metallic blue and orange and y nocturnally

from July to September. Chrysaeglia magnifica and other
members of their Lithosiini tribe can collectively be called lichen
moths, and C. magni ca caterpillars also have the extremely long

body hairs that are typical of their tribe.

The Chrysaeglia magni ca caterpillar is
long and slender with ne, black-and-white,
pinstripe longitudinal markings. Each segment
bears multiple tubercles from which lengthy
white setae emerge, which are longest and
most numerous laterally and to the front and
rear. The underbelly and prolegs are red or pink.
The anterior thoracic tubercles and the rear
segment have a blue hue.
Actual size