Nolid moth (Nolidae Chleophorinae Carea varipes)

Found two caterpillars on Mau On Saan, New Territories, the last week of October, 1998.  The foodplant was Rhodomyrtus tomentosa.  About 10 larvae were found on December 29, 2002 at Tai Po Kau Country Park on the only Rhodomyrtus in the entire Park.  They varied from (probably) 2nd or third instar through two final instar larvae.


Two views of the young caterpillar.
It was just under 6 mm / 0.2 inch long.


Three views of a later instar.
It was just under 13 mm / 0.5 inch long.
Note that the eyes of the younger instars are not
the bright orange color of a mature larva (see below).


A mature larva and a younger instar.


Three views of the mature caterpillar.
It was just over 29 mm / 1 inch long.

The cocoon was sandwiched between
two leaves of its foodplant

Two views of the pupa,
temporarily extracted from the cocoon.
The moth emerged after 13 days.

The wingspan is about 40 mm / 1.6 inches.
 

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kilroy
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