Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth

cosmic caterpillar

See the universe in the marvelous googly-eyed cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit-piercing moth (Eudocima phalonia), and you’ll never be the same. This is mother nature’s best expression of art.

While some caterpillars appear like snakes to avoid predators, the cosmic caterpillar screams, ‘eat the stars.’ Yet, it often hides during the day and becomes active at night to feed, furthering its cosmic resemblance.

As dazzling as they are in the larva stage, looking like the cosmos, these caterpillars are a severe pest in their moth stage.

As the adults burst out of their cocoons, they are known to destroy ripe fruit harvests across Hawaii, Australia, to India. It’s a vivid illustration of the dual beauty and ferocity of the natural world.

Here are some more pics of the cosmic caterpillar’s advanced larva stage and its appearance as an adult moth. It does an incredible leaf mimic.

Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth
Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth
Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth
Cosmic caterpillar of the Pacific fruit piercing moth

Life cycle stages of the Cosmic Caterpillar of the Pacific fruit-piercing moth

StageDurationCharacteristicsBehavior
Egg3-5 daysSmall, round, and pale-coloredLaid on host plant
Larva (Caterpillar)2-4 weeksCosmic appearance; later stages resemble leavesFeeds on foliage; hides during the day
Pupa (Chrysalis)1-2 weeksEnclosed in a cocoon; transformation stageImmobile; metamorphosis into adult occurs
Adult (Moth)2-3 weeksDestructive to ripe fruit; wings resemble leavesActively damages fruit; mates and lays eggs

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