Hibiscus leafroller moth  (Crambidae Spilomelinae Haritalodes derogata - Fabricius, 1775)

Found as a caterpillar at the bus station at Ha Yuen Path and Braemar Hill Road in North Point the middle of September through October, 1998.  It was feeding on Hibiscus.  Some more larvae were found feeding on Malvastrum coromandelianum on Oi Lai Street in Sau Kei Wan on June 4, 2005.


Three views of the caterpillar at rest
Note the rolled up leaf in which the larva hides.
However, its presence is revealed by its fras and silk.

The caterpillar was about 13 mm / 0.5 inch long.
The 2nd image is from 2005, about 2 cm long.

About two days before forming a pupa,
the top of the caterpillar turns dark pink.

Pupa, bottom & side views

Three views of the pupa;
A slight cocoon is formed inside the leafroll.
Pupation for the 2005 specimen was on June 8th;
the pupa was 12 mm long.

The moth in rest position;
the 2005 specimen eclosed on June 14th.
Moth, top & underside views
Top and Underside views of moth
Wingspan is about 28 mm / 1.125 inch

Link to: Larval Foodplant image
 

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This page last updated 20-June-2005.