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Can I keep these two moth caterpillars together?

Hello, I’ve recently been homing a little giant leopard moth caterpillar. She just molted today, so I’m happy about that. Last night I found another giant leopard moth caterpillar and thought about keeping this one with my first. Problem is, this caterpillar is significantly larger than my first one. I’d say he’s almost three times her size. Is this only because he’s older? Would it be okay for me to keep these two caterpillars in the same home or will the larger one hurt/eat my smaller one?

Thanks,
Mila Lynn.
Contributed by Mila Lynn on 8 August, 2019 - 10:22am

When I collected these
and put them in the same vial, I had no idea this might happen.
… MJ Hatfield, 25 June, 2022 - 11:47am

Probably, But Not Advisable
Lot of misinformation here. Cannibalism does occur in lepidopteran larvae. The most common form I have encountered is egg cannibalism, but larvae do eat other larvae. In fact some genera (looking at you Lithophane) are notorious in that regard. Broadly speaking species that are solitary and polyphagous are the most likely to engage in such behaviour. The Giant Leopard Moth is exactly that. In fact cannibalism has been recorded in literature for Hypercompe indecisa, a related species.

If you are keeping a small number of larvae in a decent sized container with plenty of food the odds of this occurring go way down even for Lithophane, but that is not an advisable habit to get in to. Better to only batch rear the ones you find in groups.
… George Smiley, 8 July, 2020 - 10:47am

I am glad they are not cannib
I am glad they are not cannibalistic. If I kept two and one was eaten by the other, I would feel miserable!
… zoeyw, 8 July, 2020 - 5:34am

 
They destroy clothes?
Interesting, but I’d raise them. Giant leopard moths at awesome and somewhat rare. Like said, they eat plant material so keeping them communally shouldn’t be an issue. As long as you feed them the correct food and keep the cage clean, neither should die. Happy rearing!
… Violet K, 1 July, 2020 - 6:25pm

 
Um. Giant leopard moth caterp
Um. Giant leopard moth caterpillars do not eat cloths. They eat grasses and other plants. And you can keep them together, caterpillars are not cannibalistic or anything. Just make sure you have enough food!
… BugIdentifier, 3 July, 2020 - 6:49pm

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