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Parasa lepida, the Blue-striped Nettle Grub 1: Caterpillar

on 21st October 2016

Lipstick Palm

My introduction to these nasty caterpillars started when I introduced two Lipstick Palms (Cyrtostachys renda) into my garden (above). A few months after planting, I noticed the leaflets were being damaged but failed to detect any insects.

Nettle caterpillar [wyc]

Once in a while when my hand brushed against a frond, I felt a stinging sensation on the skin. Only much later did someone notice a few short, flatish greenish caterpillars with a blue dorsal stripe on the leaflets (above).

Nettle Caterpillar-anterior end [wyc]

At its anterior end are two pairs of black false eyes (above). The posterior end (below) has a pair, sometime two pairs of false eyes. On its body are numerous bunches of sharp spines. Apparently these spines release an irritant that causes the skin to burn and itch. Some of the spines at both ends are tipped orange.

Nettle caterpillar-posterior [wyc]

I managed to collect a few caterpillars each morning and/or evening. Most of the time they were not around. I have yet to locate the eggs. The video below shows its movement.

I posted an appeal on the Facebook of the Seletar Country Club’s Nature Group for an ID and Craig Williams, David Chan and Foo Jit Leang responded. That is how I managed to put a name to this moth caterpillar – see HERE.

Blue-striped Nettle Grub (Parasa lepida) is a moth of the Limacodidae family LINK. The egg stage lasts 6 days, larval stage 40 days and pupal stage 22 days.
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YC Wee
Singapore
29th September 2016

Thanks to Craig Williams, David Chan and Foo Jit Leang for putting a name to the caterpillar.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

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