SINGAPORE - 8 APR 2026: 6 pm. The caterpillar of Asota caricae moth has prominent black and white markings and a prominent red or orange head capsule. Its bold patterning warns predators it may be unpalatable or toxic. It is a voracious feeder of plant material, often leaves. It often causes much damage to fruits and agricultural products.
8 Apr 2026. Lots of caterpillars on the floor and ground.
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voracious eaters of leaves, skeletonising them.
Canon R5 160mm, 1/10 sec, f/16, iso 500
9 Apr 2026, 8.15am. Rain overnight.
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Description
The wingspan is 51–58 mm. Palpi with black spots on 1st and 2nd joints. Forewings brownish fuscous. There is a basal orange patch with two subbasal black spots and a series of three spots on its outer edge, that matches the coloration of the scales of the thorax. The veins are streaked with white. There is a white spot at lower angle of the discal cell. Hindwings are orange yellow, with a black spot at the end of the discal cell, one beyond, one below vein 2 and a submarginal irregular series which sometimes becomes a nearly complete marginal band. The veins crossing the band are yellowish. Larva black above, with two dorsal white bands, a sub-dorsal black spot on each somite. A series of lateral black specks present with sparse black hairs. Ventral coloration brown, head capsule is reddish.[2]
Ecology
The larvae have been recorded on Ficus, Broussonetia, Mesua, Tectona and Shorea species. Pupation is in a slight cocoon, fixed to a leaf. The species is found in forest and agricultural areas.[3][4]
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