Caterpillars of the
World - Cambodia
Drury's Jewel
Cyclosia papilionaris
DRURY, 1773
Superfamily - ZYGAENOIDEA
Family - ZYGAENIDAE
subfamily -
CHALCOSIINAE
Tribe -
Cyclosia papilionaris,
Cambodia
© Dani Jump
Introduction
In
Europe and North America the moth family Zygaenidae is best known
for the colourful day-flying Burnets of the subfamily Zygaeninae,
and the metallic green Forester moths of the Procridinae.
In
the tropics a further 5 subfamilies occur, including the
Chalcosiinae, which has representatives distributed across the
Indo-Australian region from Pakistan to the Philippines, and south
via the Malay peninsula to Sumatra, Borneo, Sulawesi, Java and New
Guinea.
The
genus Cyclosia comprises of about 100
species.
Cyclosia papilionaris is distributed
from Thailand to south China.
Habitats
This
species is found in rainforest and humid deciduous forest at
altitudes between sea level and about 1000m.
Lifecycle
The larval
foodplant of Cyclosia papilionaris is
Aporusa dioica ( Euphorbiaceae ).
The larva illustrated below has been parasitised by an
entomopathogenic nematode worm. When the worm was a minute juvenile
it was probably unintentionally ingested by the caterpillar as it
browsed on leaves. After entering the body of the caterpillar,
the nematode, over a period of several days fed internally on the
body tissues of the caterpillar. Once the nematode became fully
grown it burrowed it's way out of the caterpillar, which slowly
shrivelled and died. The cycle is completed when the nematode drops
to the ground and reproduces in the soil. A new generation of tiny
juvenile nematodes then slithers up onto a leaf to await the arrival
of another caterpillar.
Cyclosia papilionaris with parasitic
worm, Cambodia
© Dani Jump
The pupa is formed within a cocoon, attached to
the upper surface of a leaf.
Cyclosia papilionaris cocoons, Cambodia
© Dani Jump
Adult
This is a day-flying
species. Both sexes are illustrated below.
Cyclosia papilionaris, male, Cambodia
© Dani Jump
Cyclosia papilionaris, female, Cambodia
© Dani Jump
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