Found as a caterpillar at the top of Braemar Hill in North Point the third week of October, 1998. Observed larval foodplants of the older instars are Breynia fruticosa and Gyaura crepidioidea, an herbaceous plant about a half meter tall, growing next to a small stream. First and second instars prefer a particular moss or algae, and will also eat dried, brown leaves and (partially dried or decayed) fruit. They appear unwilling to eat fresh, green leaves. Third (?) instar larvae (about 12 mm / 0.5 inch long) and older consume green leaves. A few young larvae were found in Choi Sai Woo Park in North Point, Hong Kong in late May and early June. They were still at the moss-eating stage. They went through several instar changes before finally pupating on October 6, 1999. Three of the moths emerged 8-10 days later, all female.
The caterpillar at rest
The mature larva was about 24 mm / 1 inch long.
Two views of the pupa case
(only a slight cocoon was formed)
Top and Underside views of a male moth
Wingspan was about 35 mm / 1.4 inches
An alternate host plant, Gyaura
crepidioidea.
This seems to be similar to Taraxacum (Dandelion).
Larvae have been reared on Taraxacum by Peter Kautt in Germany.
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