Kingdom Animalia Family Limacodidae Scientific name Darna pallivitta Rank Species | Class Insecta Genus Darna Phylum Arthropoda Order Butterflies and moths | |
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Similar Butterflies and moths, Opogona sacchari, Limacodidae, Opogona, Copitarsia | ||
Darna pallivitta, the nettle caterpillar or stinging nettle caterpillar, is a moth of the Limacodidae family. It is native to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java and Borneo. But is now also established and spreading in Hawaii and Japan.
The larvae feed on the leaves of a wide range of plants, including Areca, Caryota, Cocos, Phoenix, Rhapsis, Veitchia merrillii, Adenostemma, Commelina diffusa, Breynia, Vigna marina, Cordyline terminalis, Dracaena, Iris, Ficus, Averrhoa carambola, Coffea arabica, Pipturus albidus, Alyxia oliviformis, Monstera, Neodypsis decaryi, Wedelia, Tillandsia cyanea, Desmodium uncinatum, Erythrina sandwicensis, Cuphea, Beaucarnea recurvata, Cordyline marginata, Ophiopogon, Clidemia hirta, Tibouchina, Musa, Psidium, Jasminum multiflorum, Arundina graminifolia, Panicum repens, Paspalum conjugatum, Pennisetum purpureum, Macadamia and Gardenia.
When larvae are ready to pupate, they migrate to protected areas of the host and pupate in clusters. The pupal stage lasts for 17–21 days.