Western Marbled Emperor Moth Caterpillar

Large moth of around 10cm wingspan.

Western marbled emperor moth caterpillar.

Cabbage tree emperor moth caterpillar commented on by bill oehlke sundays river valley local municipality eastern cape south africa 7 years ago hi it is one of the saturniidae. We will try checking with bill oehlke to verify our identification. Fine speckling of white or yellowish below and or above the lateral stripe. Great peacock moth caterpillar from france.

Saturniid caterpillar from panama. Western marbled emperor caterpillar we believe from kenya. Since the western marbled emperor moth is the only member of the genus verified from kenya according to the world s largest saturniidae site we believe that to be the correct species identification for your caterpillar. Ants eats giant silkmoth caterpillar.

Clumsy flyer feather like antennae. Of the emperor moth family saturniidae. An almost fully grown caterpillar of the western marbled emperor on the species specific forage plant the black thorn. According to kirby wolfe.

As soon as the rainy season begins marbled emperor moths as well as the western marbled emperor moth heniocha dyops are out and about in their hundreds. Hi duane this is either a western marbled emperor heniocha dyops or a closely related species. African moths has photos of the adult moth and various acacia species are listed as food plants. Males are attracted by the females pheromones scents.

African moths has photos of the adult moth and various acacia species are listed as food plants. Moths and caterpillars are a protein rich food for countless animals. Since the western marbled emperor moth is the only member of the genus verified from kenya according to the world s largest saturniidae site we believe that to be the correct species identification for your caterpillar. Spiracles purple or yellow or yellow and purple striped.

Fynbos and woodlands found near residential dwelling. Up to 90mm long. Ready to mate the males are constantly looking for the slightly larger females. That s what the mirror like spines are for to break up the light so the caterpillar can hide in the sparse acacia foliage.

The moth is large but not atypical in size of many other saturniidae moths. Come december to february the next generation of adult western marbled emperors hatches after the first good rains and a new cycle begins.