Lappet Moth (Lasiocampidae Lasiocampinae Gastropacha pardale pardale - Walker, 1855)

In March, 2002, one female moth was found at Yiu Tung, Hong Kong, on an outdoors, overhead beam, possibly attracted there by light.  Ova were laid the next day.  Ova were previously obtained from Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong, the moth having laid them on a resident's curtain at the end of June, 2000.  Initial LFP was Cinnamomum camphora but was subsequently changed to (Euphorbiaceae) Aporusa dioica with no difficulty.  The 2002 group were also given Liquidamber formosana as well as Schefflera actinophylla.  Among these four, the C. camphora was much preferred by the larvae.  The Schefflera seemed to cause about two thirds of the population to develop diarhea and die.  Out of the two dozen 2002 larvae that pupated, all but two were males that eclosed about one to two weeks before the two females even pupated.  The two females both eclosed on May 9, 2002.


A  few of the 100 or so ova laid by the female moth below;
these were laid on March 1, 2002 and hatched on the 9th.
An earlier batch was laid on June 28, 2000.


A first instar,  just hatched larva, July 6, 2000.
length was 7 mm / 0.3 inch

A second instar larva, July 14, 2000.
length was 1 cm / 0.4 inch

A third instar larva, July 16, 2000;
length was 1.8 cm / 0.7 inch.


A third instar larva, July 21, 2000
length was 2.8 cm / 1.1 inches.


A fourth instar larva, August 1, 2000;
length was 4.6 cm / 1.8 inches

Another fourth instar larva, August 8, 2000;
length was 3.6 cm / 1.4 inches
 


The cocoon was formed inside the leaf roll; August 10, 2000.


The female and male moths in typical rest position; top & side views;
The actual color of the female is less yellow and slightly darker, and reddish (see below).


Wingspan of the female (left) was about 6.4 cm / 2.5 inches
The male was about 4 cm / 1.6 inches.
Note the light yellow markings on the leading edge of the male's hindwings.
 
 

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This page last updated 9-May-2002.