Eri Silkmoth Samia (cynthia) ricini /(Philosamia cynthia ricini)

Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
The Eri Silkmoth, also called the Indian Silkworm Moth and Ailanthus Silkmoth (the foodplant), is a large semi-domesticated moth native to north India and China.
Indian Silk Moths and lizard
Eri Silk Moth
The domesticated Eri Silkworm caterpillars (see below) produce a good, robust but not high quality silk; the silk is widely used for clothing and furnishing in India.
Indian Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
It has a wingspan of some 12.5 cm (5 inches).
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
The caterpillar uses its silk to spin its cocoon for pupation, from which the moth hatches.
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth
Eri Silk Moth

The Silkworm Caterpillar:

Eri Silkworm
Eri Silk Moth caterpillar
Eri Silkworm caterpillar
Unlike the Eri Moth which has no mouthparts and doesn't eat for its 3-5 day life as a moth, the Eri Silkworm Caterpillar has a voracious appetite and seems never to stop eating.
Eri Silkworm
Eri Silk Moth caterpillar
Eri Silkworm caterpillar
They can eat the extremely poisonous castor oil plant and tolerate the toxins, benefitting from the protection given from predators.
Eri Silkworm