Saga of the Flag Moth - Part 8

Description:

By the end of January, 13 of the 14 original larvae had pupated (1st picture). These 13 all pupated on the floor of the container containing their host plant (the Grass-leaved Goldenrod http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/192...). The 14th larva continued feeding for almost 2 weeks longer. This one was alone and undisturbed by other larva and proceeded to make a very thin, fine "sling" of webbing within the leaves of the host plant. After 5 days of dormant prepupal inactivity, it formed it's pupa on 2 February 2013 within the sling of webbing and remained there. Moderate shaking of the branches did not dislodge it. I believe this what probably occurs in nature and that the pupae remain hidden in the leaves throughout pupation. The video is a brief showing of the feeding of this last larva.

Habitat:

San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.

Notes:

Part 1: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/165.... Part 2: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/167.... Part 3: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/169.... Part 4: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... Part 5: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/170.... Part 6: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/214.... Part 7: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/214.... Part 9: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/212.... Part 10: http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/221....