Caterpillars of the
World - Cambodia
Drury's Jewel
Cyclosia papilionaris
DRURY, 1773
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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