Footman moth (Nepita conferta) can be spotted easily due to their unique color pattern. They are bright orange in color and have black patterns on their wings with feather-like antennae. It is commonly found in South Asia--usually in the monsoon season. I was honored to see a part of their life cycle this monsoon, amid the pandemic.
Larvae:
The larva is black in color with few yellow stripes and is covered in fur. it is about 1-2 cm long. Touching them can cause allergic reactions for a few people. They are commonly seen on the walls because they feed on mosses and lichens.
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| Footman moth larva |
The cocoon is very well woven. It is circled by a finely knitted hair shedded by the larva. The outer covering is called its cocoon and the brown shape where the metamorphosis happens is called the pupa. In the center, there is a fine bag where the pupa rests.
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| Footman moth cocoon |
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| Footman moth pupa |
Moth stage:
The pupal stage lasts for about two weeks. The moth hatches and releases pheromones to attract the male if the hatched moth is a female, and lays eggs on the next day on the cocoon itself. The larvae hatch from the cocoon and spread on the walls in search of lichens. The cycle repeats...
Thank you!
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