ID of these caterpillars found on a Pemphis acidula?

[jamesk]

Anyone has any idea what these caterpillars on a Pemphis acidula are? They are maybe an inch long each. I can only find records of Thiotricha sp. and Achaea janata that feed on Pemphis acidula but both don't seem to fit these caterpillars as both lack hairs and the record of Thiotricha sp. states that they are found on a different part of the plant.





Thanks!

[Glorious Begum]

Looks like moth to me.

[jamesk]

Thanks Goh. Ya Khew already IDed them as moths due to the hairs, so at least I know which subforum to post these cats in!

Pemphis acidula is a rare mangrove plant in Singapore so we're quite interested in whatever eats it.

[Grass Demon]

Did you happen to see them at Sungei Buloh? I have bred them (from Sungei Buloh) and they are definitely moths but I cannot remember which species they are.

[jamesk]

These were found on Ubin. Do you have any photos of the adult moths I can take a look at, Steven?

[Grass Demon]

Sorry James, I released them. Bred them more out of curiosity so did not take any pictures - those days we use slides, an expensive option.

[jamesk]

No prob Steven, thanks.

[hkmoths]

Lasiocampidae
Metanastria sp., possibly M. hyrtaca

get these in Hong Kong, too - long series of photos of M. hyrtaca and M. gemella larvae on the HKWildlife.Net forum.

cheers,
Roger.

[jamesk]

Thanks so much Roger!