Page 575 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Erebidae
DISTRIBUTION Spain
HABITAT Heathlands, grasslands, and alpine slopes up to 6,600 ft
(2,000 m) elevation
HOST PLANTS Cytisus spp. and Genista spp.
NOTE Colorful caterpillar that is covered in irritating hairs
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 in (25 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ in (30 mm)
ORGYIA AUROLIMBATA
ORGYIA AUROLIMBATA 573

(GUENÉE, 1835)

The female Orgyia aurolimbata moth is wingless and hairy
and has very limited mobility, so rarely leaves the cocoon.
The caterpillars hatch from eggs she lays usually either in or
on her cocoon and are seen between April and early August,
often basking in the sun near the top of the host plant. When
threatened, they quickly drop into the vegetation. The larvae are
covered in urticating hairs to deter predators, and, when mature,
they spin a thick silken cocoon and cover it with the urticating
hairs for added protection. The cocoon is attached to stems
of the host plant.

The day-flying male moths are on the wing from June to
September, and there is a single generation. They are attracted to
the wingless females by pheromones. The males’ life span is just

four or ve days, but the females live for up to 13 days, starting

to lay eggs, whether fertilized or not, after three to ve days.

Actual size

The Orgyia aurolimbata caterpillar is covered
in irritating hairs. Its body is gray brown with
a black dorsal strip bounded by orange, plus
lateral yellow, black, and brown stripes. There
are four pairs of orange dorsal tufts, a black
tuft at the end of the abdomen, and two long,
black tufts that extend each side of the head.