Categories
Caterpillars and PupaTree cluster
Location: Cape Town South Africa
September 5, 2010 10:29 am
Is it possible that someone can identify this cluster of caterpillar? Never seen before in my garden. Living in Cape Town South Africa.
Signature: Paul
Cape Lappet Moth Caterpillar Aggregation
Dear Paul,
We hope that one of our readers may be able to assist in this identification. Caterpillar aggregations like this are common with North American caterpillars like Tent Caterpillars (see BugGuide) and many other species.
Hi Daniel and Paul:
These social caterpillars are larvae of the Cape Lappet Moth, Eutricha capensis (Lasiocampidae: Lasiocampinae). According to the Field Guide to Insects of South Africa: “Larvae congregate conspicuously on tree trunks, feeding on Acacia, white stinkwood (Celtis), bush willow (Combretum), Bauhinia and other trees in nature, and on trees such as mango, peach and the Brazilian Pepper in gardens.” Regards. Karl
Thanks Karl,
It is nice to know that they are in the same family as North American Tent Caterpillars.
I like ThisRelated Posts
-
(07/30/2009)Unknown Caterpillar from South Africa is... -
(01/10/2010)Cape Mountain Cockroaches from South Afr... -
(03/02/2010)Cape Zebra Cockroaches from South Africa -
(04/08/2010)Cape Mountain Cockroach from South Afric...
Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.
Post a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.