Page 587 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Euteliidae
DISTRIBUTION Northern Thailand, southeast China, Chinese Taipei, and Japan
HABITAT Forests and gardens
HOST PLANTS Spondias spp.
NOTE Candy-striped caterpillar that has a distinctive swollen thorax
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, and relatively unknown, although not
uncommon regionally

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1⅜ in (30–35 mm)

CATERPILLAR LENGTH

1⅜ in (35 mm)
PHALGA CLARIRENA
PHALGA CLARIRENA 585
(SUGI, 1982)

Encountering the Phalga clarirena caterpillar for the first
time, people often describe it as having a tumor or as looking
parasitized because of its swollen front end. The larva’s basic
body shape is, however, characteristic of several genera of
euteliid moths from Asia. Nothing about the appearance
or behavior of the immature stages of P. clarirena suggests it
uses crypsis as a defense, but its yellow and orange colors are Actual size
classically aposematic in nature as predation deterrents. Several
larvae can between them defoliate host plant branches. The
caterpillars turn a deep blue prior to pupation and head down
to the soil to metamorphose.

There are two to three generations during the summer months,
and, in the species’ less tropical range, overwintering occurs
as the adult moth. Unlike the caterpillar in their markings and
behavior, the adults are masters of camou age and will hang

from vegetation and spiderwebs, looking very much like
windblown, dry leaves.

The Phalga clarirena caterpillar has a
characteristic euteliid body shape and color
scheme, with a bulbous thorax boldly marked
with black tiger stripes on a pale blue
background. The blue continues down its topside
to the rear, where there is a deep blue spot on
the anal segment. It has bright yellow anks.
The head is a vivid orange but usually tucked
away out of sight when the larva is not feeding.