106 Marula moth

Marula moth

Namibian crop pests # 106

Desmeocraera decorata

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Notodontidae

Synonyms: D. neavei Tams, 1925. D. lithocolla, Tams 1932

Caterpillar on marula branch	Caterpillar, 55 mm
Cocoons, 40 mm long	Male moth (45 mm) Female moth (53 mm)

Common names:	No vernacular names were recorded
Pest status:	Unknown, but it is unlikely to be an important pest. We record it anyway, as Marula is an important tree in Namibia.
Distribution:	Only found once at Ruacana falls, on 4 April 2001. Several caterpillars on a Marula tree.
Description:	The caterpillar is 55 mm long when mature. Black with transversal creamy stripes on the back. Two conspicous yellow spots are found in front and back of the caterpillar. The caterpillar is covered with long white hairs. At time of pupation, the caterpillar makes a 40 mm long brown cocoon. The adult moth is white with two darker lines across the wings. Males are about 45 mm in wing span, females are larger, about 53 mm.
Control:	No control is recommended at present
Other notes:	6 caterpillars where brought back from Ruacana and fed fresh marula leaves every day. A few days later they began to make cocoons. Two specimens (a male and a female) hatched a year later and were pinned.

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