I was honestly a bit nervous to draw and post this one, because it's such a deep rooted and genuine issue I struggle with. It's a thing I wish could be fixed in some way, but I feel pretty comforted it resonated with so many others too
The imperial fruit-sucking moth is a gorgeous moth, with its caterpillar having the appearance of a skeleton. Unfortunately, this species is endangered.
@hispaatra, @zick-the-fairy, @the-ellia-west, @thegalacticidiot, another moth post, I hope you enjoy it :DD
Description and Life Cycle
Early instars of the caterpillar are dull brown, but green individuals are also observed.
Mature caterpillars are about 120 millimetres long and dark brown to reddish brown, or even greyish, with diagonal shading and thin wiggly white lines. There is a variable black, yellow, and red mark on each side of the first abdominal segment. The final abdominal segments are elongated with a big black mark outlined in white underneath. The legs and prolegs sometimes have red markings. Additionally, they show large eyespots. These are composed of a black pupil surrounded by a blue ring, then a yellow ring. Between and below the eyespots are white markings, often described as resembling teeth, and evoking the appearance of cartoon skeleton teeth.
The pupa is about 50 millimetres long. As well as the spectacular appearance of the larva, the pupa is also similarly endowed, exhibiting what resembles transparent circumferential panels on every abdominal segment. It is difficult to imagine what function this serves, considering that the larva usually encloses itself in a thin silk cocoon, woven slackly into dead leaves on the ground.
The wingspan of adult imperial fruit-sucking moths is 130 to 170 millimetres, and the leaf-shaped forewings are grey-brown to chocolate brown and show a distinctive white or yellow marking near the middle which varies somewhat among populations. In females, the white mark is often less visible. The ventral side of the forewing has a discal, dark-brown patch containing three white spots. The hindwings are dark brown to black with a large central pink patch extending to the inner margin.
Defensive Mechanisms
The skeleton-like markings of the caterpillar work as a defence. If disturbed, the caterpillar bends its head downwards beneath the raised front portion of its body, stretching the skin on its dorsum, revealing what appears to be a pair of large, blue-black 'eyes' and a double row of white teeth-like markings: a most remarkable effect which would be sufficient to startle any potential avian, reptilian or mammalian predator.
The leaf-like resemblance of the forewings of adults is also a defensive mechanism. When at rest, the forewings cover the hindwings in a steep roof shape, and the insect disappears from view. Any predator sees what appears only to be a dead leaf. This is an excellent example of leaf crypsis, or leaf mimicry.
Distribution
Phyllodes imperialis' distribution ranges from north-eastern Queensland to northern New South Wales, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Screenshot of Distribution Map from iNaturalist.
Habitat, Diet and Reproduction
The imperial fruit-sucking moth is found in subtropical rainforest below about 600 metres elevation.
The larvae feed on Menispermaceae species, including Carronia multisepala, and Pycnarrhena australiana. While the moths feed on the juice of fruit that has been damaged in some way, they do not damage fruit themselves as they do not have the saw-like haustellum found in other genera of Catocalinae.
The breeding habitat is restricted to areas where the caterpillar's food plant, the native rainforest vine Carronia multisepala, occurs in subtropical rainforests. Additionally, adults require the low light conditions of the rainforest for reproduction.
no animal was harmed during the making of this video. not one. for the few minutes that we were shooting film, the guns of each hunter fell silent. the industrial bolt throwers observed a moment's peace and the jaws of every predator hung softly open. no fish bit any hook and the bait worms held off on drowning only until the cameras stopped. the tails of ruminants ceased to flick just as their attendant flies, in unison, landed on their flanks to catch their tiny breaths. a spider instantly stopped winding silk around a wasp, patiently waiting for the caesura to end. a young veterinarian paused with the syringe in their hand. somewhere, a colicky baby stopped biting its mother's nipple and nursed happily for the very first time. we're sorry. we're sorry it couldn't have been longer. we didn't know this would happen.
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