Planthopper Parasite Moths ZYGAENOIDEA | (donherbisonevans@yahoo.com) and Stella Crossley |
These Caterpillars are white and globular. They parasitise Hoppers (HEMIPTERA), such as Lantern Flies (FULGORIDAE) and Antipodean Hoppers (EURYBRACHIDAE).
The first instar caterpillar, as soon as it hatches, has to find and latch onto a suitable host, on which it then feeds. Initially they can be coloured, but the last instar is often white. The caterpillars grow to a length of about 3 mms.
The adult moths are tiny, many with a wingspan of about 8 mms. The illustrated moth is actually black with a blue sheen.
caterpillar | butterflies | Lepidoptera | moths | caterpillar |
(written 8 April 2017, updated 9 June 2020)