Abstract
For the purpose of clarifying the life cycle, development and some other ecological features of Parasa consocia Walker, and also in order to establish the relationship of moth-dermatitis and this species of moth, this study was conducted from 1965 to 1966. The results are summarized below : 1) In general, emergence of the adult moth is observed once a year, in June, in Kagawa and Tokushima Prefectures, although a small number of individuals also emerge in autumn. 2) Hibernation of this species of moth occurs when the advanced larva is in the cocoon. 3) Developmental periods occupy : 4 days, in the egg; 37 days, in the larva (until cocoon formation); and on the average of 300 days, in the cocoon. But, for the small number of individuals that emerge in the autumn, the duration is about 40 days. 4) Eight instars are observed in the larval stage, but a small number of individuals appear to have nine instars. 5) The growth in the width of the larval headcapsule follows Dyar's formula, log y=a+bx. 6) The number of eggs per egg-mass is variable, and the average is very small, about 5-6 eggs. 7) Strong aggregative behavior is generally observed in the first instar larva. However, dispersal seems to occur in the second instar. 8) Cocoon formation takes place on the lower parts of the trunks of old hackberry trees, or in nearby places; cocoons can be found in cracks in the bark on the trunk, or in weeds near the roots, in a cocoon-mass of variable size. The surface of the cocoon is quite indistinct and wrapped in a rather coarse silk. 9) The cause of dermatitis in the human body seems due to a large number of spine on the old larval skin, adhering either to the coarse silk on the surface of the cocoon or scattered on the ground. Undoubtedly, there is some suffering caused by the sting from spines on the living larva.
