Page 589 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Nolidae
DISTRIBUTION The Himalayas, South and Southeast Asia, southern China,
and Chinese Taipei
HABITAT Lowland and montane forests
HOST PLANTS Myrtaceae, including Eugenia spp., Rose Myrtle (Rhodomyrtus
tomentosa), Campomanesia xanthocarpa, Cleistocalyx operculatus,
and Java Plum (Syzygium cumini)
NOTE Caterpillar that mimics unpalatable berries
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ –1¾ in (40–45 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 in (25 mm)
CAREA VARIPES
CAREA VARIPES 587

WALKER, 1856

Carea varipes caterpillars, like many species of the Careini tribe
of Oriental nolid moths, have a grossly swollen thorax, a feature
that is present at all instar stages but exaggerated in the nal

instar. This is thought to be designed to mimic unpalatable Actual size
berries as a defense against predation, notably by birds. The
thorax can appear full and glossy or deflated and wrinkled,
perhaps indicating larval nutritional status. When disturbed,
the caterpillars assume a raised tail and head posture and may
regurgitate their gut contents as a droplet of green liquid.

Unlike other related larvae, which occur in large, defoliating
masses, Carea varipes caterpillars occur singly and at widely
separate locations, usually resting on the top side of host leaves.
The larvae pupate in rolled host plant leaves or sandwiched
between leaves. The adult moths eclose after nine days and are
on the wing throughout the spring and summer months.

The Carea varipes caterpillar is notable for
its enlarged, spherical thoracic segments.
The caterpillar is colored in varied shades of
glossy green with sparsely spaced primary setae.
A mottled white band runs from the thorax to a
broad, paler green, conical horn at the rear. There
is a similar white patch between the horn and
the claspers. The prolegs and their crochets are
prominent. The head is red.