On Jan 9, 2004 at Tai Tam reservoir, Hong Kong SAR, found a tiny, jet-black, spiny larva on the underside of a leaf that had a damage spot on the top side (see the LFP image, linked below).  The caterpillar had "grazed" the bottom layer of the leaf.  If not for the damage visible on the top, the larva would not have been noticed.   The LFP was the vine, Smilax chinensis.  Though there are a number of local plants with similar leaves, this Smilax is distinctive by having a whitish underside.  Sometimes the top is plain green, as in the image below, but often it has a variegated, spotted surface.

1st instar; Jan 9, 2004, about 3 mm
2nd instar; Jan 19, 2004, about 4 mm

3rd instar; Jan 19, 2004, about 1 cm

4th instar; Feb 19, 2004, about 2 cm
The caterpillar was about 4.5 cm before pupation.

Pupation was on Feb 29, 2004

 
 
 
 

 Blue Admiral larval foodplant
 
 
 
 
 

Critters Page
 
 

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This page last updated 29-Jan-2004.