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Semi-looper (Achaea Janata) - Animal India

Achaea janata, commonly known as the Castor Semi-looper or Croton Caterpillar, is an erebid moth. The caterpillars are called 'semi-loopers' due to their distinctive mode of locomotion. This species is found in the Indo-Australian tropics and subtropics, extending south to New Zealand and east through the Pacific archipelagos to Easter Island. It is a major pest of castor plants worldwide. As they feed on the castor oil plant, the caterpillars may become extremely poisonous. They damage foliage, resulting in defoliation and a reduction in the photosynthesis process. They also attack stems, boring into them, which can cause the entire plant to wilt and die. A Castor Semi-looper (Achaea janata) was observed sitting on the wall of a house in Tehatta, West Bengal, India, on 16/07/2024. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

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