One characteristics of Mots ( in general ) is that they like to hide
their Pupa from danger. And this Mot has an unusual way to do this.
The Caterpillar is found on Infrou ( Cactus type ) and Welensali ( local herb ).
The Caterpillar feeds on small particles on the Cactus and beneath the leaves
of the Welensali. When the Caterpillar is big enough she will construct a cage type
of protection around it's boby, and transform to a pupa. In Papiamentu a "cage" is a "kouchi".
So the common-name translated would be: " Mot Cage "
The cage itself is hold on it's place by some strings of silk on the surface.
The protected pupa will stay in this form for about 2 weeks to 20 days.
Out of this pupa a small Mot will emerge that will break the cage and fly away.
The cage is made of a special kind of silk. The silk is strong and will be fragile
and weak as the day approach for the Mot to emerge.
The adult Mot will break it at the top ( head ).
The " Mot Kouchi " measure approximately 9mm.
Colour is gray and with a long-type body.
Some differences between a Mot and a Butterfly :
* Antennae of a Mot does not have a ball on the end.
* The majority of Mot are night insects.
* Mostly Butterflies have nice colours.
* Mots have straight flat wings, Butterflies sleep with wing
fold together upward.
* The Butterfly Pupa is not protected ( hangs free on leave )
a Mot like protecting it's Pupa by rolling it in a leave, hidding it
in dirt or mudd, or cast it out of mudd.
* Mots reacts on light, vibration and smell.