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Moringa Hairy Caterpillar - Animal India

On October 29, 2024, a group of Eupterote mollifera caterpillars, also known as hairy caterpillars, are observed on the trunks of a Moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) in Tehatta, West Bengal, India. The female Eupterote mollifera moth, a common pest specific to Moringa trees in the Indian subcontinent, lays her eggs in clusters on the tender leaves and stems, which hatch within 5-7 days. These gregarious caterpillars feed in groups, scraping the bark and foliage of Moringa trees, often leading to severe defoliation during heavy infestations. Covered in densely irritating and poisonous hairs, these caterpillars can cause skin irritation upon contact. Here, one caterpillar is seen with its mouth in the bubbly foam created by spittlebugs on the Moringa trunk, highlighting its interaction with other organisms in the ecosystem. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)

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