Silkmoths and more: Pallastica sanricia

The moths that I published yesterday, turned out to have one of the most beautiful Lappet caterpillars I've ever seen. When you look closer you can see the incredible complex pattern of white, brown, black, green, pink, bleu and orange. Sanricia caterpillars grow fast (for a Lappet). In only six to seven weeks they become full grown with a length in between eight and ten centimeter. It's an easy species that does well on many food plants, especially Rosaceae. I used Prunus serotina. Keep them at an average room temperature and dry. Absolutely no spraying with water. It's not because caterpillars like to drink that you have to let them. I can't repeat this often enough. Unless you're living in a desert with an extremely low ambient air humidity, there is absolutely no reason to spray your caterpillars. It does more harm then good. The larvae are social in all stages and like to rest during the day. Unfortunately not on the plants, but on the cage structure and especially the zippers. Be careful when opening the cages. Try to avoid damaging them. Gently push against the caterpillars, they will become nervous and they either move of the zipper or they let themselves drop to the ground. Most of the cocoons are spun between leaves (or, less often, against the walls of the cage).