Very strange black moth living in Japan

 I would like to introduce you a very strange black moth living in Japan. It looks like a commonplace moth, but it has actually the very curious life cycle. 


It is an adult moth that has just emerged from its pupa. Its Japanese name is Semiyadoriga, scientific name is Epipomponia nawai
Probably it might not be distributed in other than Japan and neighboring countries.


This is the moth immediately after emerging from its pupa. What looks the brownish color at right bottom is the shell of the protruding pupa.


 A white mass is attached to the left side of the cicada. This is the mature larva of this moth. When I discovered this cicada, I noticed one white mature larva moving nearby. So, I think that white strings on the right side of the cicada is the place where this larva has departed just before.

Thus, this is a unique moth whose larvae are external parasites of cicadas.


Several larvae are parasitizing on the cicada. However, this cicada can still fly in the forest.

When the larvae mature, they leave the cicada by hanging from the threads they spit out.

The threads are so thin and invisible that the larvae appear as if they are floating in the air.

When the thread gets caught on a branch or tree trunk, the larva develops into a pupa covered with white cotton-like hair.

After a pupal period of about two weeks, the adult moth emerges.















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