Rank Subspecies | Genus Bombycomorpha Order Butterflies and moths | |
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Similar Butterflies and moths, Rufoclanis numosae, Amata alicia, Nephele comma, Metarctia lateritia | ||
Bombycomorpha bifascia, the pepper-tree caterpillar, is a moth of the Lasiocampidae family, occurring in Southern Africa.
The 40mm long larvae feed on the foliage of Rhus dentata, the pepper-tree Schinus molle and other Anacardiaceae, showing a preference for the foliage of the introduced pepper-Tree. The body of the larva is black with two narrow yellow lines (bifascia) running down each flank. A coating of orange hairs gives it a yellowish appearance. The larvae are highly gregarious and feed in small groups, with a tendency to become cannibalistic when food is depleted. Moulting four times they attain full size in 50–60 days, at which point they descend to ground level and search for a suitable pupating spot. The cocoons are about 20mm long and chocolate-brown in colour. After some 14 days the moth emerges. If the season is unfavourable the larvae hibernate until the following Spring.
Etymology
The species name, Bombycomorpha refers to the resemblance to the silkworm moths of the Bombyx genus.