The caterpillars first use their sharp mandibles to cut a small slice of the leaf, starting near the leaf base. Once a cut spans about 1/2", the caterpillars roll the liberated part of the leaf and secures the furl with silk "stitching." This cut, roll, stitch process is repeated in the direction of the midrib to create a rolled cigar-like nest. Each nest contains a single larva and each leaf appears to be able to support no more than two nests.
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