Lappet Moths

Description:

The first question that came to mind, this morning, when I saw this large group of caterpillars, was "Why are they doing this?" Wikipedia's article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_cat....... gives some very interesting information, all of which is new to me and it is all well presented. I want to just quote the first sentence, "The collective behaviors of social caterpillars falls into five general categories: collective and cooperative foraging, group defense against predators and parasitoids, shelter building, thermoregulation and substrate silking to enhance steadfastness." The "substrate silking" was important to me, as I remembered it from my previous observations (unphotographed). It restored a little confidence in the accuracy of my memory.

Habitat:

This large gathering of caterpillars was spotted in our backyard on a Black plum tree (Syzygium cumini) known as Lomboi in this part of the Philippines. Plant info. - http://www.stuartxchange.org/Duhat.html

Notes:

I have seen congregations of caterpillars, on the bark of trees, from time to time, but never had a camera with me on any of those occasions. This morning, while having a coffee, I mentioned to my wife that I would really like to get some photos of this kind of social behaviour by moth larvae. When she asked me what kind of tree I had seen them on, I couldn't remember. I thought that she was just making friendly conversation, but she was quite serious and said "Why don't you have a look on one or two of the Lomboi trees (Black Plums). I must have, unintentionally, indicated disbelief because she called our niece to come in from the garden and said to her "Tell your uncle where he can see big groups of caterpillars" The immediate answer was "On Lomboi trees. I think there might be some in that one over in the corner". So, I picked up my camera and walked over to the corner, just 30 or 40 metres from where I was having my coffee. The above picture is the result.