''Bombycomorpha bifascia'', the pepper-tree caterpillar, is a

moth Moths are a group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not Butterfly, butterflies. They were previously classified as suborder Heterocera, but the group is Paraphyly, paraphyletic with respect to butterflies (s ...

of the family Lasiocampidae, which is native to

southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...

Food plants

The larvae feed on the foliage of '' Searsia dentata'', the pepper-tree ''

Schinus molle ''Schinus'' is a genus of flowering trees and tall shrubs in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae. Members of the genus are commonly known as pepper trees. The Peruvian pepper tree ('' Schinus molle'') is the source of the spice known as pink pep ...

'', and other

Anacardiaceae The Anacardiaceae, commonly known as the cashew family or sumac family, are a family of flowering plants, including about 83 genera with about 860 known species. Members of the Anacardiaceae bear fruits that are drupes and in some cases produce ...

. They show a preference for the foliage of the introduced pepper-tree. The larvae are highly gregarious and feed in small groups, with a tendency to become cannibalistic when food is depleted.

Life cycle

The 40 mm long larva is black with two narrow yellow lines (bifascia) running down each flank. A coating of orange hairs gives it a yellowish appearance. 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 20 mm long and chocolate-brown in colour, their surface texture and colour resembling that of dried mud. After some 14 days the moth emerges. If weather conditions are unfavourable the larvae hibernate until the following spring.

Etymology

Their generic name ''Bombycomorpha'' refers to their resemblance to the silkworm moths, genus '' Bombyx''.

Life stages

Bombycomorpha bifascia01.jpg, Bombycomorpha bifascia02.jpg, Bombycomorpha bifascia03.jpg, Bombycomorpha bifascia04.jpg,

References

External links

* Lasiocampidae Moths of Africa Moths described in 1855 {{Lasiocampidae-stub