About the ayepe-arenye (yeperenye) caterpillar
Above: Tar Vine caterpillar - photo by Mike Gillam
Scientific Name: Celerio lineata livornicoides
Arrernte Name: Ayepe-arenye (yeperenye)
English name: Tar vine caterpillar
The yeperenye is the most common caterpillar. It grows on a tar vine plant. It is abundant after summer rains, and is considered to be a delicious meal by many people. The yeperenye is green with a black line down its back and a spike at the end. It uses the spike for protecting itself.
Arrernte people used to gather yeperenye while it was eating on the tar vine plant. First they squeezed the guts out then cooked it in hot soil. Then the Arrernte people leave it on a rock for two or three days. Once dry the Arrernte people share and eat the caterpillar.
Yeperenye eggs are laid on a leaf by the hawk moth. After a few days the eggs hatch and the yeperenye caterpillar starts to eat tar vine leaves. After it grows fat, it makes a burrow underground and pupates. After 12 to 24 days a hawk moth comes out.
By Zac.