Darna pallivitta, the nettle caterpillar or stinging nettle caterpillar, is a moth of the genus Darna and family Limacodidae. It is native to China, Taiwan, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Java and Borneo. It was introduced to Hawaii in 2001.
Food The larvae feed on the leaves of a wide range of plants, including:
Areca Caryota Cocos Phoenix Rhapsis Veitchia merrillii Adenostemma Commelina diffusa Breynia Vigna marina Cordyline terminalis Dracaena Iris Ficus Averrhoa carambola Coffea arabica Pipturus albidus Alyxia oliviformis Monstera Neodypsis decaryi Wedelia Tillandsia cyanea Desmodium uncinatum Erythrina sandwicensis Cuphea Beaucarnea recurvata Cordyline marginata Ophiopogon Clidemia hirta Tibouchina Musa Psidium Jasminum multiflorum Arundina graminifolia Panicum repens Paspalum conjugatum Pennisetum purpureum Macadamia and Gardenia
When larvae are ready to pupate, they migrate to protected areas of the host and pupate in clusters. The pupal stage lasts for 17–21 days.
References
External links NPAG Report on Darna pallivitta