About Bombycomorpha bifascia (Walker, 1855)
Bombycomorpha bifascia, commonly known as the pepper-tree caterpillar, is a species of moth in the family Lasiocampidae, native to southern Africa. Fully grown larvae measure 40 mm in length, and are black with two narrow yellow lines (bifascia) running down each flank. A covering of orange hairs gives the larvae a yellowish overall appearance. After moulting four times, larvae reach their full size in 50 to 60 days. At this point, they descend to the ground and search for a suitable spot to pupate. The cocoons of this species are approximately 20 mm long, are chocolate-brown in colour, and their surface texture and colour resemble dried mud. Moths emerge from the cocoons after around 14 days. If weather conditions are unfavourable, larvae will hibernate until the following spring. Larvae of Bombycomorpha bifascia feed on the foliage of Searsia dentata, the pepper tree Schinus molle, and other plants in the Anacardiaceae family. They prefer feeding on the foliage of the introduced pepper tree. The larvae are highly gregarious, feed in small groups, and tend to become cannibalistic when their food supply is depleted.
