Silkmoths and more: Gastroplakaeis meridionalis

The Lappet Gastroplakaeis meridionalis is another species I caught in the Dzalanyama forest in Malawi past December. And one that caused a lot of stress. When you do an Internet search you will find out that they are recorded to feed on Brachystegia, Julbernardia and Colophospermum; all plants out of the Legume family (Fabaceae). So, I thought this would go easy. I have plenty of Fabaceae and thus I tried Acacia, Tamarindus, Erythrinna, Vigna, Psoralea, Cytisus and Lupinus. Nothing! No eating. I even threw in some Trifolium and Vicia. And again, no feeding. Thank you very much Internet for providing a beautiful piece of useless information. Left with no other options, I did what I always do when confronted with a species that refuses the obvious. I divided them in 4 groups of 30 caterpillars and each group was given 3 different plant species, which are often used by Lasiocampidae as alternative food plants. So I tried Ligustrum (ovalifolium and vulgare), Choisya, Prunus laurocerasus, Pyracantha, Photinia, Rubus, Eucalyptus, Ficus benjamina, Ceanothus, Rhamnus prinoides, Dombyea and Pinus sylvestris. Everything was rejected. Everything except Pinus sylvestris. It was the start of a long and what turned out to be a difficult brood of this beautiful African Lappet. Four months later the first cocoon has been spun. Unfortunately, there were not many survivors. I believe this has everything to do with the food plant. Pinus probably does not have the same nutritional value to these animals as their wild hosts. Or maybe it's because this was a winter brood and the Pinus was dormant. Anyway, I'm glad that I got at least a few to pupate. After seeing these pictures you will have to admit that final instar Lappet caterpillars are so much more beautiful, then the silkmoths I usually show.