tussock moth

Tussock moth (Lymantriidae Dasychira checkiangensis)

Found as a just hatched caterpillar in City Garden in North Point the third week of April, 1998. It was feeding on the outside edge and later, the throat tip of a species of Shell Ginger; its fras was reddish-tan. However, it did not do well on that diet. I later found a larger specimen on a Bauhinia leaf. After changing the diet of the first larvae, it ate more and grew faster, surpassing the second caterpillar. They both grew to about 2 inches before pupating. I found a third larvae that looked the same, but was on Litsea glutinosa. The moths from both are imaged below.

The caterpillar was about 50 mm / 2 inches long

The Cocoon is typical and folded the leaf over.
In this case, the leaf was of Litsea glutinosa.

The specimen from the larva cocooned on Litsea glutinosa.
Wingspan was about 25.4 mm / 1 inch.

The specimen from the larva that fed on Bauhinia in rest position
The image in the middle and on the right are scans of the top & underside.

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This page last updated 30-Sep-1998.