Last looper

OK, last blog about the LOOPER MOTH (Milionia basalis) I promise...

Here, along with all the caterpillars and moths, i also found this Pupa.

Then the moth emerges and climbs the trees nearby....and you can see this one's wings are still curled....and then over the course of 5-10 minutes the wings spread and harden and the moth climbs higher and chances a maiden flight - most of which are successful.

These moths have a habit of emerging all at once. Gardeners and park keepers do not like these moths because the larvae are voracious eaters of pines. In particular they favour the plum pine, Podocarpus, which is an expensive horticultural asset closely associated with good feng-shui, with a small tree costing thousands of dollars. 

SEE THEM: NOW!! from the middle to the end of May every year there is a synchronised emergence of these moths. Look for them under conifers at the entrance of Sai Kung Country Park, or at Lions Nature Education Centre under the pines.