DEUDORIGINI , THECLINAE
&
Stella Crossley
male and female upper surfaces
(Photo: courtesy of Yusuke Takanami & Yasuo Seki)
The Caterpillars of this species are basically white with areas of yellow and pink, but they have dark brown tubercles on each segment each bearing a black hair. The Caterpillars grow to a length of about 2 cms. They feed on the seeds within the fruit of:
- Lolly Berry Vine ( Salacia chinensis, HIPPOCRATEACEAE ),
- Salacia disepala ( HIPPOCRATEACEAE ), and
- Celastrus subspicata ( CELASTRACEAE ).The Caterpillars bore into the bark of the tree to pupate. The pupa is brown and rough, with patches of white and dark brown. Its length is about 1 cm. When disturbed, the pupa emits clicking noises.
male and female undersides
(Photo: courtesy of Yusuke Takanami & Yasuo Seki)The eggs are white, round and flattened. Their diameter is about 0.8 mm. They are laid singly at the base of fruits of a foodplant.
The species is found from India to the Solomon Islands, including the Philippines, and including the tropical north-east coast of Australia.