Nice, right? The caterpillars of this fairly common Lappet species can grow up to ten centimeter. It takes them approximately three to even four months to get there, although this may have something to do with the winter rearing which is far from optimal. But late winter is when you usually will get stock, afterall they occur mainly in southern Africa which has opposite seasons. Keep them dry (not so easy during winter and spring in Western Europe) and warm (at least a living room temperature, with nights not below fifteen degrees Celsius) in well ventilated plastic containers. They are fairly polyphage with records of them feeding on Persea, Eriosema, Sonchus, Vitis, Trema and Sclerocarya. However, they are most fond of Rosaceae and will do well on Rubus, Rosa, Prunus, Pyrus and Malus.
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus serotina |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus laurocerasus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus laurocerasus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera final instar on Prunus laurocerasus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Prunus laurocerasus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Prunus laurocerasus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
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| Philotherma rosa aniera early instars on Rubus fruticosus |
