#webworms

image description, a white moth with a fluffy crest it has a single black dot on its wing and is resting on a dusty white window

a beautiful fall webworm, otherwise known as a hyphantria cunea. definitely uncharismatic because the caterpillars will often make very large webs in trees and decorative shrubs. this is my first time seeing the adult form as i usually tend to see the caterpillars which are equally as charming to watch in their webs

i was able to get it to walk onto my hand after this and took it outside after this photo was taken

Caterpillars I am currently raising.

They feed on the flowers of ixoras, covering them in silk and frass.

𝑪𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒂

Apologies for the low-quality images, will replace when able.

Order Lepidoptera Superfamily Pyraloidea, “Pyraloid moths” or “Snout moths” Family Crambidae “Grass moths” Subfamily Spilomelinae

Larval stage has yet to be found. The larvae are thought to feed on:

Fig trees “Moraceae”

Other moths in Cirrhochrista genus have very similar wing patterns. Usually white, with golden edges around the wings, and the occasional spot in the centre.

Very beautiful, and I’ve also noticed that the prettiest webworm moths are out in the country side, or at least in places near cane. I’m very far from both those habitats right now... But I will set up moth-hunt night some day!