Page 605 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Noctuidae
DISTRIBUTION Mediterranean Europe, throughout Africa and the Middle East,
South and Southeast Asia, Japan, and northern Australia
HABITAT Coastal sand dunes
HOST PLANTS Lilies, including Amaryllis spp., Crinum spp., Narcissus spp.,
and Pancratium maritimum
NOTE Black-and-white caterpillar that feeds on lily plants
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but endangered in Europe

ADULT WINGSPAN
1 ⁄ in (40 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1 ⁄ –2 in (40–50 mm)
BRITHYS CRINI
LILY BORER 603

FABRICIUS, 1775

The caterpillars of the Lily Borer moth, also known as Kew
Arches, hatch from pale yellow eggs laid in small clusters on
the leaf of a host plant. Initially, the young caterpillars mine

into the eshy leaves where they feed, but later they emerge
to feed externally, moving down the leaves toward the bulb.
The bright colors of the larvae warn predators that they are
unpalatable, the poisons coming from the leaves of the host
plants. To pupate, the caterpillars move to the ground, just under
the surface in sandy soil.

The adult moth is on the wing from March through September,
and there are two, possibly three, generations each year, with

the caterpillars of the nal brood overwintering. In Europe, the The Lily Borer caterpillar has a plump, black
loss of coastal dunes has led to a steep decline in the species, body with rings of white spots. The head, prolegs,
and posterior segment of the abdomen are red
while in other parts of the world Brithys crini is considered brown, while the legs are black. Sparse black
a pest as the caterpillar damages ornamental lilies found in hairs protrude from the body.
parks and gardens.

Actual size