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Afrikaanse Inligting
Multiple cacoons on Faurea speciosa Broad-leaf Beach
I have found the tough, grey, multiple silk cacoons of the Loose Bagnest Moth
Epanaphe clarilla (Family Thaumetopoeidae) on Faurea speciosa and
Crossopteryx febrifuga Crystal Bark (Rubiaceae: Gardenia Family). This identity
was provided by Mrs R Sithole of the Natural History Museum at Bulawayo. These
multiple cacoons are made by moth larva which display an unusual gregarious
habit. During the day the caterpillars bunch up tightly on their host plant. In
the evening they move off in procession following a leader to feed - later they
return to the roost by the same route. These activities have resulted in the
name Processionary Moths. When full-grown the larva make elliptical, silken
cacoons which are cemented together to make the Bagnest. The silk is not used
commercially because it contains some of the caterpillar's hairs which irritate
human skin. When the moth emerges from its cacoon it flies away to lay eggs and
begin other communities.
Benedicta Graves, Raffingora
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