Ambulyx liturata
violet hawk moth
violet hawk moth
The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly
called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species.
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Sphingids are some of the faster flying insects; some are capable of flying at over 5.3 m/s (19 km/h).[4] They have wingspans from 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) to over 10 cm (4 in).
Ambulyx is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae, described by Westwood in 1847.
Ambulyx liturata is a species of moth of the family Sphingidae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1875.
It is found from Nepal, the north-eastern India states of Sikkim and Assam, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Fujian and Hong Kong in China.
The wingspan is 106–134 mm. It is similar to Ambulyx maculifera, but can be distinguished by the absence of a subbasal costal patch on the forewing upperside.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genus : Ambulyx
Species : A. liturata
Binomial name Ambulyx liturata
Butler, 1875
Synonyms
Ambulyx rhodoptera Butler, 1875
called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species.
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Sphingids are some of the faster flying insects; some are capable of flying at over 5.3 m/s (19 km/h).[4] They have wingspans from 4 cm (1+1⁄2 in) to over 10 cm (4 in).
Ambulyx is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae, described by Westwood in 1847.
Ambulyx liturata is a species of moth of the family Sphingidae first described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1875.
It is found from Nepal, the north-eastern India states of Sikkim and Assam, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam,
Fujian and Hong Kong in China.
The wingspan is 106–134 mm. It is similar to Ambulyx maculifera, but can be distinguished by the absence of a subbasal costal patch on the forewing upperside.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genus : Ambulyx
Species : A. liturata
Binomial name Ambulyx liturata
Butler, 1875
Synonyms
Ambulyx rhodoptera Butler, 1875
Oxydai agusta
leaf mimic moth
leaf mimic moth
Oxydia is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae first described by Achille Guenée in 1857.
A leaf mimic mith. Oxydia augusta is a moth in the family Geometridae . The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1892 by Druce.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Genus : Oxydia
Guenée, 1857
Soecies : Oxydia augusta
A leaf mimic mith. Oxydia augusta is a moth in the family Geometridae . The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1892 by Druce.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Genus : Oxydia
Guenée, 1857
Soecies : Oxydia augusta
Lygniodes endoleucus
Pulau Ubin : 13-4-24
Lygniodes is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. The genus is restricted to the Asiatic tropics, east to Sulawesi and the Moluccas.
Palpi with second joint reaching vertex of head, and third joint moderate length.
Antennae simple. Thorax and abdomen smoothly scaled. Mid tibia spined and hind tibia slightly hairy. Forewings with arched costa, slightly produced and acute apex. Hindwings with very short cell. Vein 5 arise from near lower angle and vein 6 much curved.
Lygniodes endoleucus is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, China, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi.
All species show sexual dimorphism of the type described for the only Bornean representative, differing in the colour and extent of the paler edging to the male distal margins, the male hindwing is usually more produced at the tornus, less rounded over the distal margin, and has the paler colour more broadly along the dorsum, particularly on the underside.
The black scales of the hindwing upperside are modified to give a velvety appearance, particularly over the distal half.
In the male abdomen, the eighth sternite is bilobed as mentioned in the tribal account, but the tergite is only half as wide, hastate in shape, with a less sclerotised central lacuna, and a pair of splayed apodemes at its anterior margin.
The valves of the genitalia are highly unusual, very broad over the basal half, with a massive hair-pencil at the exterior part of the base of the sacculus. The aedeagus vesica is moderately convolute and scobinate.
The female of the type species has genitalia as described for the tribe. The ductus is broad and sclerotised over the basal third. The base is very finely corrugated and rugose.
The genus is restricted to the Oriental tropics, extending to Sulawesi and the Moluccas (L. ochrifera Felder; Poole, 1989), but no further east.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Lygniodes
Species : L. endoleucus
Binomial name Lygniodes endoleucus
(Guérin-Méneville, 1844)
Palpi with second joint reaching vertex of head, and third joint moderate length.
Antennae simple. Thorax and abdomen smoothly scaled. Mid tibia spined and hind tibia slightly hairy. Forewings with arched costa, slightly produced and acute apex. Hindwings with very short cell. Vein 5 arise from near lower angle and vein 6 much curved.
Lygniodes endoleucus is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in India, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, China, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi.
All species show sexual dimorphism of the type described for the only Bornean representative, differing in the colour and extent of the paler edging to the male distal margins, the male hindwing is usually more produced at the tornus, less rounded over the distal margin, and has the paler colour more broadly along the dorsum, particularly on the underside.
The black scales of the hindwing upperside are modified to give a velvety appearance, particularly over the distal half.
In the male abdomen, the eighth sternite is bilobed as mentioned in the tribal account, but the tergite is only half as wide, hastate in shape, with a less sclerotised central lacuna, and a pair of splayed apodemes at its anterior margin.
The valves of the genitalia are highly unusual, very broad over the basal half, with a massive hair-pencil at the exterior part of the base of the sacculus. The aedeagus vesica is moderately convolute and scobinate.
The female of the type species has genitalia as described for the tribe. The ductus is broad and sclerotised over the basal third. The base is very finely corrugated and rugose.
The genus is restricted to the Oriental tropics, extending to Sulawesi and the Moluccas (L. ochrifera Felder; Poole, 1989), but no further east.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Lygniodes
Species : L. endoleucus
Binomial name Lygniodes endoleucus
(Guérin-Méneville, 1844)
Fascellina meligerys
T7 : 12-4-24
Fascellina is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae described by Francis Walker in 1860.
Its eyes are hairy. The palpi are stout and reach the vertex of the head, where the first joint is hairy and the third joint minute.
Antennae with cilia and bristles. Abdomen stout.
Hind tibia not dilated. Forewings with arched costa towards apex.
Vein 3 from close to angle of cell and vein 5 from above middle of discocellulars. Vein 7 to 9 stalked from before upper angle. Veins 10 and 11 stalked and joined by bars to vein 12 and veins 8, 9. Hindwings with vein 3 from close to angle of cell.
Diagnosis :
The submarginals of both wings are irregular, irrorated pale grey, separating a leaden grey marginal zone from a green-tinged basal two-thirds.
The underside is deep yellow, the forewing with a narrow, pale discal spot edged in dark brown. The forewing tornus is not excavate, the dorsal margin straight; the hindwing margin is evenly curved.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Ennominae
Genus : Fascellina
Walker, 1860
Species : Fascellina meligerys Prout, 1925
Synonyms
Nysis Moore, 1867
Its eyes are hairy. The palpi are stout and reach the vertex of the head, where the first joint is hairy and the third joint minute.
Antennae with cilia and bristles. Abdomen stout.
Hind tibia not dilated. Forewings with arched costa towards apex.
Vein 3 from close to angle of cell and vein 5 from above middle of discocellulars. Vein 7 to 9 stalked from before upper angle. Veins 10 and 11 stalked and joined by bars to vein 12 and veins 8, 9. Hindwings with vein 3 from close to angle of cell.
Diagnosis :
The submarginals of both wings are irregular, irrorated pale grey, separating a leaden grey marginal zone from a green-tinged basal two-thirds.
The underside is deep yellow, the forewing with a narrow, pale discal spot edged in dark brown. The forewing tornus is not excavate, the dorsal margin straight; the hindwing margin is evenly curved.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Ennominae
Genus : Fascellina
Walker, 1860
Species : Fascellina meligerys Prout, 1925
Synonyms
Nysis Moore, 1867
Parotis marginata
OUTR : 6-4-24
Parotis is a genus of moths of the family Crambidae.
Grass moth, Parotis marginata is a species of moth of the family Crambidae.
It is known from south-east Asia, including India, Bangladesh and China, as well as Fiji, Japan and
Australia, where it is known from the Northern Territory and Queensland.
The wingspan is about 30 mm. They are a deep green, with a crenulated brown line around the edges of each wing.
The larvae feed on Alstonia scholaris, Gardenia jasminoides and Tabernaemontana.
Young larvae feed on the flesh of the leaves leaving a skeleton of veins. Later instars have been found feeding on the bark. They are pale green with several raised black lumps on each segment, and a pale brown head.
They live in a shelter created from curled or joined leaves held with silk. Pupation takes place in this shelter.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Crambidae
Genus : Parotis
Species : P. marginata
Binomial name Parotis marginata
(Hampson, 1893)
Grass moth, Parotis marginata is a species of moth of the family Crambidae.
It is known from south-east Asia, including India, Bangladesh and China, as well as Fiji, Japan and
Australia, where it is known from the Northern Territory and Queensland.
The wingspan is about 30 mm. They are a deep green, with a crenulated brown line around the edges of each wing.
The larvae feed on Alstonia scholaris, Gardenia jasminoides and Tabernaemontana.
Young larvae feed on the flesh of the leaves leaving a skeleton of veins. Later instars have been found feeding on the bark. They are pale green with several raised black lumps on each segment, and a pale brown head.
They live in a shelter created from curled or joined leaves held with silk. Pupation takes place in this shelter.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Crambidae
Genus : Parotis
Species : P. marginata
Binomial name Parotis marginata
(Hampson, 1893)
Anisoneura salebrosa
T7 : 22-3-24
Anisoneura is a genus of moths of the family Erebidae.
Anisoneura salebrosa is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852.
It is found in Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, the north-eastern part of the Himalayas (Nepal and India), Bangladesh, China, Japan and the Philippines.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Noctuidae
Genus : Anisoneura
Species : A. salebrosa
Binomial name Anisoneura salebrosa
Guenée, 1852
Anisoneura salebrosa is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852.
It is found in Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, the north-eastern part of the Himalayas (Nepal and India), Bangladesh, China, Japan and the Philippines.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Noctuidae
Genus : Anisoneura
Species : A. salebrosa
Binomial name Anisoneura salebrosa
Guenée, 1852
Hypopyra vespertilio
T7: 22-3-24
Hypopyra is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae.
Hypopyra vespertilio is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1787.
It is found in China, Korea, Honshu in Japan, India
(Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal),
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Singapore and Sulawesi.
The wingspan is 74–90 mm in male and 72–104 mm in female.
Male has minutely fasciculate antennae, an erectile tuft of long hair from femur-tibial joint of forelegs.
Tibia and hind tarsi not fringed with long hair, nor the hindwings clothed with long woolly hair on ventral side.
The wings are grey suffused with slight fuscous brown. The forewings have the stigma usually reduced to spots or to two spots on discocellulars.
The antemedial line is excurved below the costa then oblique to the inner margin. There is a double postmedial line, angled below the costa.
The postmedial line is crenulate. The hindwings are fuscous brown with antemedial oblique lines.
The medial and submarginal lines are crenulate and the inner margin is crimson. The darkest form is vespertilio which has the male dark brown, the costal and outer areas of forewing suffused with grey and olive, the stigma most developed, female much paler and greyer. The adult has been recorded as fruit-piercer.
The larvae feed on Albizia, Acacia, Wisteria
and possibly Camellia species. They are pale grey.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Hypopyra
Species : H. vespertilio
Binomial name Hypopyra vespertilio
(Fabricius, 1787)
Hypopyra vespertilio is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1787.
It is found in China, Korea, Honshu in Japan, India
(Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal),
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Java, Sumatra, Singapore and Sulawesi.
The wingspan is 74–90 mm in male and 72–104 mm in female.
Male has minutely fasciculate antennae, an erectile tuft of long hair from femur-tibial joint of forelegs.
Tibia and hind tarsi not fringed with long hair, nor the hindwings clothed with long woolly hair on ventral side.
The wings are grey suffused with slight fuscous brown. The forewings have the stigma usually reduced to spots or to two spots on discocellulars.
The antemedial line is excurved below the costa then oblique to the inner margin. There is a double postmedial line, angled below the costa.
The postmedial line is crenulate. The hindwings are fuscous brown with antemedial oblique lines.
The medial and submarginal lines are crenulate and the inner margin is crimson. The darkest form is vespertilio which has the male dark brown, the costal and outer areas of forewing suffused with grey and olive, the stigma most developed, female much paler and greyer. The adult has been recorded as fruit-piercer.
The larvae feed on Albizia, Acacia, Wisteria
and possibly Camellia species. They are pale grey.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Hypopyra
Species : H. vespertilio
Binomial name Hypopyra vespertilio
(Fabricius, 1787)
Nyctemera lacticinia
Nyctemera is a genus of tiger moths
Nyctemera is a genus of tiger moths
Nyctemera is a genus of tiger moths in the family Erebidae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1820.
The genus includes the species Nyctemera annulata and Nyctemera amica, which are closely related and are able to interbreed.
They are medium-sized moths, the adults having a wingspan of 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in). The wings are usually dark with lighter patches, while the body is often aposematically coloured to discourage birds and other visual predators from eating them.
Palpi porrectly upturned. Antennae bipectinate in both sexes, where branches short in females.
Forewing with vein 3 from before the angle of cell, vein 5 from above it and vein 6 from upper angle.
Vein 7 and 10 from short areole which is formed by the anastomosis of veins 8 and 9. Hindwings with vein 3 from before end of cell and vein 5 from angle or from above it. Veins 6 and 7 stalked or from upper angle. Vein 8 from before middle of all.
The slow-flying moths can often be seen feeding at flowers; it is common around its preferred food plants of the daisy family, for example groundsel (and other Senecio spp.), ragworts and Cineraria.
Nyctemera lacticinia, the common nyctemera, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is found in Japan, from the Oriental tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar to Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
The wingspan is about 45 mm. Male absent a tuft of hair on the tibia of foreleg. Head, collar and thorax yellowish white and spotted with black.
Abdomen white where the extremity is yellowish. Three black spots on the first segment and slight black bands on the next sex above can be seen.
Two paired series of lateral black spots. Forewing hair-brownish. A broad white streak found on the base of inner margin. An oblique post-medial band of five white spots present.
Hindwings white with a broad marginal brown band with irregularly curved inner edge.
Larva dull reddish with a dorsal and two lateral series of radiating tufts of fine black hairs arising from black tubercles. Two long forwardly projecting tufts are present on first somite. Pupa reddish brown where rolled-up leaf. The larvae feed on Santalum species.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Subfamily : Arctiinae
Genus : Nyctemera
Species : N. lacticinia
Binomial name Nyctemera lacticinia
Grote, 1873
The genus includes the species Nyctemera annulata and Nyctemera amica, which are closely related and are able to interbreed.
They are medium-sized moths, the adults having a wingspan of 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in). The wings are usually dark with lighter patches, while the body is often aposematically coloured to discourage birds and other visual predators from eating them.
Palpi porrectly upturned. Antennae bipectinate in both sexes, where branches short in females.
Forewing with vein 3 from before the angle of cell, vein 5 from above it and vein 6 from upper angle.
Vein 7 and 10 from short areole which is formed by the anastomosis of veins 8 and 9. Hindwings with vein 3 from before end of cell and vein 5 from angle or from above it. Veins 6 and 7 stalked or from upper angle. Vein 8 from before middle of all.
The slow-flying moths can often be seen feeding at flowers; it is common around its preferred food plants of the daisy family, for example groundsel (and other Senecio spp.), ragworts and Cineraria.
Nyctemera lacticinia, the common nyctemera, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Augustus Radcliffe Grote in 1873. It is found in Japan, from the Oriental tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar to Taiwan, Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
The wingspan is about 45 mm. Male absent a tuft of hair on the tibia of foreleg. Head, collar and thorax yellowish white and spotted with black.
Abdomen white where the extremity is yellowish. Three black spots on the first segment and slight black bands on the next sex above can be seen.
Two paired series of lateral black spots. Forewing hair-brownish. A broad white streak found on the base of inner margin. An oblique post-medial band of five white spots present.
Hindwings white with a broad marginal brown band with irregularly curved inner edge.
Larva dull reddish with a dorsal and two lateral series of radiating tufts of fine black hairs arising from black tubercles. Two long forwardly projecting tufts are present on first somite. Pupa reddish brown where rolled-up leaf. The larvae feed on Santalum species.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Subfamily : Arctiinae
Genus : Nyctemera
Species : N. lacticinia
Binomial name Nyctemera lacticinia
Grote, 1873
Acraea terpsicore
Tawny coster,
Tawny coster,
Acraea is a genus of brush-footed butterflies (family Nymphalidae) of the subfamily Heliconiinae.
It seems to be highly paraphyletic and has long been used as a "wastebin taxon" to unite about 220 species of anatomically conservative Acraeini.
Some phylogenetic studies show that the genus Acraea is monophyletic if Bematistes and Neotropical Actinote are included (see Pierre & Bernaud, 2009).
Most species assembled here are restricted to the Afrotropical realm, but some are found in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
The eggs are laid in masses, the larvae are rather short, of almost equal thickness throughout, and possessing branched spines on each segment, young larvae group together on a protecting mass of silk; the pupa is slender, with a long abdomen, rather wide and angulated about the insertion of the wings, and suspended by the tail only.
A. horta, A. cabira, and A. terpsicore illustrate typical life histories. The food plants of Acraea caterpillars are usually Urticaceae or, like in most Heliconiinae, Passifloraceae.
Some feed on other plants, such as Fabaceae, "Flacourtiaceae", or Violaceae. Their preferred species contain cyanogenic glycosides, which make the larvae and adults poisonous to predators.
The aposematic coloration of the adults announces this, and some species are mimicked by less noxious butterflies. At least some "Acraea" are able to produce the toxins themselves. Their flight is slow and flapping.
Acraea terpsicore, the tawny coster, is a small, 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), leathery-winged butterfly common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators.
This species and the yellow coster (Acraea issoria) are the only two Indian representatives of the
predominantly African tribe Acraeini.
It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Singapore and recently Australia.
Male upperside tawny : Forewing a transverse black spot in cell, and another irregular, oblique and broader at the discocellulars; a discal series of spots in interspaces 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and the apex and termen black. The upper four spots of the discal series inclined obliquely outwards, the lower two obliquely inwards; the black edging to apex and termen narrowing posteriorly, but with slender linear projections inwards in the interspaces.
Hindwing: a basal series of four or five black spots with a similar spot beyond in middle of cell and a subcostal black spot above it, followed by a discal series of obscure blackish spots and a minute postdiscal black dot in interspaces 4 and 6
respectively; finally, a broad black terminal band medially traversed by a series of small spots of the ground colour. Most of the macular black markings are obscure, being only the spots on the underside seen by the transparency of the wing membrane, the inner edge of the black terminal band crenulate.
Underside ground colour ochraceous yellow or a paler tawny yellow.
Forewing: paling to whitish on the apex, with the black markings as on the upperside but somewhat blurred and diffuse.
Hindwing: the black spots and black terminal band as on the upperside, but the spots more clearly defined, none obscure; the series of spots traversing the black terminal margin very much larger and white - not tawny; the base of the wing black, separated from the basal transverse series of black spots by two or three large whitish spots.
Antennae black, head and thorax black spotted with ochraceous and white; abdomen anteriorly black, posteriorly ochraceous yellow with narrow transverse black lines; beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen ochraceous, the thorax spotted with ochraceous, the abdomen with a longitudinal line of black at base.
Female similar to that of the male. Upperside ground colour duller; the black spots on forewings and hindwings larger, the upper discal spots often coalescing and forming an irregular oblique short band; the black edging to apex and termen on the forewing and the black terminal band on the hindwing proportionately broader, the spots traversing the latter larger and whitish.
Underside ground colour much paler and duller markings as on the upperside and, as in the male, the spots on the hindwing better defined than on the upperside. Antennae, bead, thorax and abdomen as in the male. Wingspan of 53–64 mm.
This species does not fly high, but seems to keep within 3 m of the ground and tends to rest on vegetation in the regions of a meter off the ground.
Acraea terpsicore can be seen in abundance wherever its larval food plant (Passiflora species) is found. The adult tends to avoid dense undergrowth and shady areas, instead keeping to open spaces in all types of vegetation.
A.terpsicore the tawny coster is one of a group of butterflies where females feature a sphragis (copulatory plug) which is formed after a mating session. After males produce the spermatophore, they pass an additional gland secretion (a waxy substance) that spills out of the female's copulatory opening, forming a mating plug that hardens within a few hours for the purpose of preventing further matings.
Eggs are laid in batches of anywhere between 20 and 100. Eggs are yellow and slightly elongated and tall and display shallow transverse ribbing.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Acraea
Species : A. terpsicore
Binomial name Acraea terpsicore
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Acraea violae (Fabricius, 1775)
It seems to be highly paraphyletic and has long been used as a "wastebin taxon" to unite about 220 species of anatomically conservative Acraeini.
Some phylogenetic studies show that the genus Acraea is monophyletic if Bematistes and Neotropical Actinote are included (see Pierre & Bernaud, 2009).
Most species assembled here are restricted to the Afrotropical realm, but some are found in India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
The eggs are laid in masses, the larvae are rather short, of almost equal thickness throughout, and possessing branched spines on each segment, young larvae group together on a protecting mass of silk; the pupa is slender, with a long abdomen, rather wide and angulated about the insertion of the wings, and suspended by the tail only.
A. horta, A. cabira, and A. terpsicore illustrate typical life histories. The food plants of Acraea caterpillars are usually Urticaceae or, like in most Heliconiinae, Passifloraceae.
Some feed on other plants, such as Fabaceae, "Flacourtiaceae", or Violaceae. Their preferred species contain cyanogenic glycosides, which make the larvae and adults poisonous to predators.
The aposematic coloration of the adults announces this, and some species are mimicked by less noxious butterflies. At least some "Acraea" are able to produce the toxins themselves. Their flight is slow and flapping.
Acraea terpsicore, the tawny coster, is a small, 53–64 millimetres (2.1–2.5 in), leathery-winged butterfly common in grassland and scrub habitats. It belongs to the Nymphalidae or brush-footed butterfly family. It has a weak fluttery flight. It is avoided by most insect predators.
This species and the yellow coster (Acraea issoria) are the only two Indian representatives of the
predominantly African tribe Acraeini.
It is found in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Singapore and recently Australia.
Male upperside tawny : Forewing a transverse black spot in cell, and another irregular, oblique and broader at the discocellulars; a discal series of spots in interspaces 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, and the apex and termen black. The upper four spots of the discal series inclined obliquely outwards, the lower two obliquely inwards; the black edging to apex and termen narrowing posteriorly, but with slender linear projections inwards in the interspaces.
Hindwing: a basal series of four or five black spots with a similar spot beyond in middle of cell and a subcostal black spot above it, followed by a discal series of obscure blackish spots and a minute postdiscal black dot in interspaces 4 and 6
respectively; finally, a broad black terminal band medially traversed by a series of small spots of the ground colour. Most of the macular black markings are obscure, being only the spots on the underside seen by the transparency of the wing membrane, the inner edge of the black terminal band crenulate.
Underside ground colour ochraceous yellow or a paler tawny yellow.
Forewing: paling to whitish on the apex, with the black markings as on the upperside but somewhat blurred and diffuse.
Hindwing: the black spots and black terminal band as on the upperside, but the spots more clearly defined, none obscure; the series of spots traversing the black terminal margin very much larger and white - not tawny; the base of the wing black, separated from the basal transverse series of black spots by two or three large whitish spots.
Antennae black, head and thorax black spotted with ochraceous and white; abdomen anteriorly black, posteriorly ochraceous yellow with narrow transverse black lines; beneath, the palpi, thorax and abdomen ochraceous, the thorax spotted with ochraceous, the abdomen with a longitudinal line of black at base.
Female similar to that of the male. Upperside ground colour duller; the black spots on forewings and hindwings larger, the upper discal spots often coalescing and forming an irregular oblique short band; the black edging to apex and termen on the forewing and the black terminal band on the hindwing proportionately broader, the spots traversing the latter larger and whitish.
Underside ground colour much paler and duller markings as on the upperside and, as in the male, the spots on the hindwing better defined than on the upperside. Antennae, bead, thorax and abdomen as in the male. Wingspan of 53–64 mm.
This species does not fly high, but seems to keep within 3 m of the ground and tends to rest on vegetation in the regions of a meter off the ground.
Acraea terpsicore can be seen in abundance wherever its larval food plant (Passiflora species) is found. The adult tends to avoid dense undergrowth and shady areas, instead keeping to open spaces in all types of vegetation.
A.terpsicore the tawny coster is one of a group of butterflies where females feature a sphragis (copulatory plug) which is formed after a mating session. After males produce the spermatophore, they pass an additional gland secretion (a waxy substance) that spills out of the female's copulatory opening, forming a mating plug that hardens within a few hours for the purpose of preventing further matings.
Eggs are laid in batches of anywhere between 20 and 100. Eggs are yellow and slightly elongated and tall and display shallow transverse ribbing.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Acraea
Species : A. terpsicore
Binomial name Acraea terpsicore
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Acraea violae (Fabricius, 1775)
Lymantriinae caterpillar
Ulu Sebawang : 19-11-23
The Erebidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Noctuoidea. The family is among the largest families of moths by species count and contains a wide variety of well-known macromoth groups.
The family includes the underwings (Catocala); litter moths (Herminiinae); tiger, lichen, and wasp moths (Arctiinae); tussock moths (Lymantriinae), including the arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica); piercing moths (Calpinae and others); micronoctuoid moths (Micronoctuini); snout moths (Hypeninae); and zales, though many of these common names can also refer to moths outside the Erebidae (for example, crambid snout moths). Some of the erebid moths are called owlets.
The Lymantriinae (formerly called the Lymantriidae) are a subfamily of moths of the family Erebidae. The taxon was erected by George Hampson in 1893.
Many of its component species are referred to as "tussock moths" of one sort or another.
The caterpillar, or larval, stage of these species often has a distinctive appearance of alternating bristles and haired projections.
Many tussock moth caterpillars have urticating hairs
(often hidden among longer, softer hairs), which can cause painful reactions if they come into contact with skin.
The subfamily Lymantriinae includes about 350 known genera and over 2,500 known species found
in every continent except Antarctica.
They are particularly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America.
One estimate lists 258 species in Madagascar alone.
Apart from oceanic islands, notable places that do not host lymantriines include the Antilles and New Caledonia.
Adult moths of this subfamily do not feed. They usually have muted colours (browns and greys), although some are white, and tend to be very hairy.
Some females are flightless, and some have reduced wings. Usually, the females have a large tuft at the end of the abdomen. The males, at least, have tympanal organs.
They are mostly nocturnal, but Schaefer lists 20 confirmed diurnal species and 20 more likely diurnal species (based on reduced eye size).
The larvae are also hairy, often with hairs packed in tufts, and in many species the hairs break off very easily and are extremely irritating to the skin (especially members of the genus Euproctis). This highly effective defence serves the moth throughout its life cycle.
The hairs are incorporated into the cocoon. An emerging adult female of some species collects and stores the hairs at the tip of the abdomen and uses them to camouflage and protect the eggs as they are laid.
In other species, the eggs are covered by a froth that soon hardens or are camouflaged by material the female collects and sticks to them. In the larvae of some species, hairs are gathered in dense tufts along the back and this gives them the common name of
tussocks or tussock moths.
Lymantria means "destroyer", and several species are important defoliators of forest trees, including the spongy moth Lymantria dispar, the Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata, and the nun moth Lymantria monacha. They tend to have broader host plant ranges than most Lepidoptera. Most feed on trees and shrubs, but some are known from vines, herbs, grasses, and lichens.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Subfamily : Lymantriinae
Hampson, 1893
Diversity About 350 genera,
2,500–2,700+ species
Synonyms
• Lymantriidae Hampson, 1893
The family includes the underwings (Catocala); litter moths (Herminiinae); tiger, lichen, and wasp moths (Arctiinae); tussock moths (Lymantriinae), including the arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica); piercing moths (Calpinae and others); micronoctuoid moths (Micronoctuini); snout moths (Hypeninae); and zales, though many of these common names can also refer to moths outside the Erebidae (for example, crambid snout moths). Some of the erebid moths are called owlets.
The Lymantriinae (formerly called the Lymantriidae) are a subfamily of moths of the family Erebidae. The taxon was erected by George Hampson in 1893.
Many of its component species are referred to as "tussock moths" of one sort or another.
The caterpillar, or larval, stage of these species often has a distinctive appearance of alternating bristles and haired projections.
Many tussock moth caterpillars have urticating hairs
(often hidden among longer, softer hairs), which can cause painful reactions if they come into contact with skin.
The subfamily Lymantriinae includes about 350 known genera and over 2,500 known species found
in every continent except Antarctica.
They are particularly concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America.
One estimate lists 258 species in Madagascar alone.
Apart from oceanic islands, notable places that do not host lymantriines include the Antilles and New Caledonia.
Adult moths of this subfamily do not feed. They usually have muted colours (browns and greys), although some are white, and tend to be very hairy.
Some females are flightless, and some have reduced wings. Usually, the females have a large tuft at the end of the abdomen. The males, at least, have tympanal organs.
They are mostly nocturnal, but Schaefer lists 20 confirmed diurnal species and 20 more likely diurnal species (based on reduced eye size).
The larvae are also hairy, often with hairs packed in tufts, and in many species the hairs break off very easily and are extremely irritating to the skin (especially members of the genus Euproctis). This highly effective defence serves the moth throughout its life cycle.
The hairs are incorporated into the cocoon. An emerging adult female of some species collects and stores the hairs at the tip of the abdomen and uses them to camouflage and protect the eggs as they are laid.
In other species, the eggs are covered by a froth that soon hardens or are camouflaged by material the female collects and sticks to them. In the larvae of some species, hairs are gathered in dense tufts along the back and this gives them the common name of
tussocks or tussock moths.
Lymantria means "destroyer", and several species are important defoliators of forest trees, including the spongy moth Lymantria dispar, the Douglas-fir tussock moth Orgyia pseudotsugata, and the nun moth Lymantria monacha. They tend to have broader host plant ranges than most Lepidoptera. Most feed on trees and shrubs, but some are known from vines, herbs, grasses, and lichens.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Subfamily : Lymantriinae
Hampson, 1893
Diversity About 350 genera,
2,500–2,700+ species
Synonyms
• Lymantriidae Hampson, 1893
Hexamitoptera lawinda
T7 : 26-10-23
Hexamitoptera is a monotypic moth genus in the family Erebidae. Its only species, Hexamitoptera lawinda, is found in Indonesia (Nias, Sumatra), Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
The habitat consists of lowland dipterocarp forests. Both the genus and the species were first described by Pagenstecher in 1885.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Hexamitoptera
(Pagenstecher, 1885)
Species : H. lawinda
Binomial name Hexamitoptera lawinda
Pagenstecker, 1885
The habitat consists of lowland dipterocarp forests. Both the genus and the species were first described by Pagenstecher in 1885.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Hexamitoptera
(Pagenstecher, 1885)
Species : H. lawinda
Binomial name Hexamitoptera lawinda
Pagenstecker, 1885
Meganoton nyctiphanes
Hawk moths
Hawk moths
T7 : 25-9-23
The Sphingidae are a family of moths commonly
called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species.
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Sphingid's antennae are generally not very feathery, even in males. They lack tympanal organs, but members of the group Choerocampini have hearing organs on their heads.
They have a frenulum and retinaculum to join hindwings and forewings. The thorax, abdomen, and wings are densely covered in scales. Some sphingids have a rudimentary proboscis, but most have a very long one which is used to feed on nectar from flowers. Most are crepuscular or nocturnal, but some species fly during the day.
Both males and females are relatively long-lived (10 to 30 days). Prior to flight, most species shiver their flight muscles to warm them up, and, during flight, body temperatures may surpass 40 °C (104 °F).
Meganoton nyctiphanes, the dull double-bristled hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
It is known from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, the Nicobar Islands, the Andaman Islands, south eastern China, Thailand,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia and the Philippines (Palawan).
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genus : Meganoton
Species : M. nyctiphanes
Binomial name Meganoton nyctiphanes
(Walker, 1856)
called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as "hornworms"; it includes about 1,450 species.
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Sphingid's antennae are generally not very feathery, even in males. They lack tympanal organs, but members of the group Choerocampini have hearing organs on their heads.
They have a frenulum and retinaculum to join hindwings and forewings. The thorax, abdomen, and wings are densely covered in scales. Some sphingids have a rudimentary proboscis, but most have a very long one which is used to feed on nectar from flowers. Most are crepuscular or nocturnal, but some species fly during the day.
Both males and females are relatively long-lived (10 to 30 days). Prior to flight, most species shiver their flight muscles to warm them up, and, during flight, body temperatures may surpass 40 °C (104 °F).
Meganoton nyctiphanes, the dull double-bristled hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
It is known from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh,
Myanmar, the Nicobar Islands, the Andaman Islands, south eastern China, Thailand,
Vietnam, Malaysia, Sumatra, Indonesia and the Philippines (Palawan).
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genus : Meganoton
Species : M. nyctiphanes
Binomial name Meganoton nyctiphanes
(Walker, 1856)
Chorodna complicataria
geometer moth
geometer moth
T15 : 18-8-23
The geometer moths are moths belonging to the family Geometridae.
Chorodna is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae. One of its synonyms is Medasina.
Chorodna complicataria is a moth of the family Geometridae. A darker, less ochreous species than pallidularia, complicataria is readily distinguished by the prominent discal markings, that on the forewing being abnormally large.
It is found in Sundaland. This species is frequent in lowland dipterocarp forest.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Ennominae
Tribe : Boarmiini
Genus : Chorodna
Walker, 1860
Species : C. complicataria
Binomial name Chorodna complicataria
Walker, 1860
Chorodna is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae. One of its synonyms is Medasina.
Chorodna complicataria is a moth of the family Geometridae. A darker, less ochreous species than pallidularia, complicataria is readily distinguished by the prominent discal markings, that on the forewing being abnormally large.
It is found in Sundaland. This species is frequent in lowland dipterocarp forest.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Ennominae
Tribe : Boarmiini
Genus : Chorodna
Walker, 1860
Species : C. complicataria
Binomial name Chorodna complicataria
Walker, 1860
Eudocima cocalus
fruit piercing moth
fruit piercing moth
T15 : 4-8-23
Eudocima is a genus of moths of the family Erebidae with numerous tropical species. The genus was first categorised by Gustaf Johan Billberg in 1820 and species currently in the genus have been placed under a range of other genera in the past.
Adult moths in the genus are known for puncturing and feeding on the juices of fruits of which they are considered as pests by horticulturists.
Palpi with second joint thickened and reaching vertex of head, and blunt naked third joint.
Antennae minutely ciliated in male. Metathorax have slight tufts. Abdomen clothed with coarse hair on dorsum. Tibia spineless and clothed with long hair. Forewings with arched costa and acute apex. Inner margin lobed and with tufts of hair near base and at outer angle. Larva with four pairs of abdominal prolegs, where first pair rudimentary.
Eudocima cocalus, the cocalus fruit piercing moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in the north-eastern part of the Himalaya, to Sundaland and east to Queensland, Australia and the Solomons.
The wingspan is about 100 mm and the larvae feed on Cocculus species. The adults are a pest in lychee and carambola orchards. They pierce the fruit in order to suck the juice.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Eudocima
Species : E. cocalus
Binomial name Eudocima cocalus
(Cramer, 1777)
Adult moths in the genus are known for puncturing and feeding on the juices of fruits of which they are considered as pests by horticulturists.
Palpi with second joint thickened and reaching vertex of head, and blunt naked third joint.
Antennae minutely ciliated in male. Metathorax have slight tufts. Abdomen clothed with coarse hair on dorsum. Tibia spineless and clothed with long hair. Forewings with arched costa and acute apex. Inner margin lobed and with tufts of hair near base and at outer angle. Larva with four pairs of abdominal prolegs, where first pair rudimentary.
Eudocima cocalus, the cocalus fruit piercing moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. It is found in the north-eastern part of the Himalaya, to Sundaland and east to Queensland, Australia and the Solomons.
The wingspan is about 100 mm and the larvae feed on Cocculus species. The adults are a pest in lychee and carambola orchards. They pierce the fruit in order to suck the juice.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Erebidae
Genus : Eudocima
Species : E. cocalus
Binomial name Eudocima cocalus
(Cramer, 1777)
Ischyja marapok
T7 : 1-8-23
The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths. They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of the Noctuoidea.
It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now. Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species.
This classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.
Ischyja is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823.
Palpi with second joint broad and rectangularly scaled, reaching vertex of head. Third joint long, naked and oblique.
Antennae thickened and fasciculate in male. Thorax and abdomen smoothly scaled. Tibia spineless. Fore tibia with a triangular tuft of hair. Mid-tibia slightly fringed. Hind tibia clothed with long hair. Forewings with highly arched costa towards the apex, which is produced and acute. Outer margin obliquely curved. Hindwings with very short cell. Male with veins 2 to 4 running close together to near outer margin. Larva with four pairs of abdominal prolegs.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Noctuidae
Subfamily : Catocalinae
Genus : Ischyja
Species : Ischyja marapok
Hübner, [1823]
It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now. Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species.
This classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.
Ischyja is a genus of moths of the family Noctuidae erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823.
Palpi with second joint broad and rectangularly scaled, reaching vertex of head. Third joint long, naked and oblique.
Antennae thickened and fasciculate in male. Thorax and abdomen smoothly scaled. Tibia spineless. Fore tibia with a triangular tuft of hair. Mid-tibia slightly fringed. Hind tibia clothed with long hair. Forewings with highly arched costa towards the apex, which is produced and acute. Outer margin obliquely curved. Hindwings with very short cell. Male with veins 2 to 4 running close together to near outer margin. Larva with four pairs of abdominal prolegs.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Superfamily : Noctuoidea
Family : Noctuidae
Subfamily : Catocalinae
Genus : Ischyja
Species : Ischyja marapok
Hübner, [1823]
Dysphania transducta
the blue tiger moth
the blue tiger moth
T7 : 1-8-23
Dysphania is a genus of colourful moths in the family Geometridae and typical of the tribe Dysphaniini, they are sometimes called 'false tiger moths' and are found in northeast Australia, Melanesia, and south, east and southeast Asia.
Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible, they tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings. In some species, females have reduced wings and are flightless.
As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered.
Most Dysphania are day flying, but there are also nocturnal species. With a typical wingspan of 50–85 millimetres (2.0–3.3 in), they are relatively large compared to many other members of this family.
Dysphania transducta the blue tiger moth is a species of insects with 25 observations. They are similar in appearance to the long blue tiger moth.
Geographical range. Burma, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Geometrinae
Genus : Dysphania
Hübner, [1819]
Species : Dysphania Transducta Walker, 1861
Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible, they tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings. In some species, females have reduced wings and are flightless.
As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths: the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered.
Most Dysphania are day flying, but there are also nocturnal species. With a typical wingspan of 50–85 millimetres (2.0–3.3 in), they are relatively large compared to many other members of this family.
Dysphania transducta the blue tiger moth is a species of insects with 25 observations. They are similar in appearance to the long blue tiger moth.
Geographical range. Burma, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Geometridae
Subfamily : Geometrinae
Genus : Dysphania
Hübner, [1819]
Species : Dysphania Transducta Walker, 1861
Daphnis hypothous
Jade hawkmoth
Jade hawkmoth
T15 : 29-7-23
Daphnis is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Daphnis hypothous, the jade hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described by Pieter Cramer in 1780.
Chinese name :(臺灣): 白腰天蛾, 茜草白腰天蛾, 暗綠白腰天蛾
D. hypothous is known from Sri Lanka, southern and northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and probably an introduce species to Singapore
It is a rare vagrant to the Western Palaearctic realm. During the last hundred years a number have been discovered within the Middle East and one was even found in Scotland late in the 20th century but this was probably imported as a pupa with cargo.
The wingspan of Daphnis hypothous is 86–120 mm. It is a very fast flyer and is attracted to both sweet-smelling flowers and light. It differs from (Daphnis nerii the oleander hawk-moth or army green moth) in having the head and collar uniformly dark purplish brown. Thorax and first two abdominal segments are dark green with a white fringe to the first segment. Other abdominal segments are dark olive green with the streaks and spots as in D. nerii.
D. hypothous wings are similar to D. nerii but very much darker on both dorsal and ventral side. A white spot is present at the apex of forewing and at the end of cell of forewing ventral side.
Larva is green with yellow dots at its sides. There is a dark dorsal line, a subdorsal purple-red band, edged with yellow on thoracic somites and a blue ocellus on the third somite. Horn is purplish brown with white tubercles. Before changing to pupa, the larva becomes blotched with dark red.
Larvae have been recorded feeding on Rubiaceae
species, including Cinchona, Wendlandia and Uncaria species in India. Most instars are green with a brown backward-curving tailhorn and a pair of white or red and yellow dorso-lateral stripes. Some instars have various coloured markings along the sides, including a blue eyespot on each side of the metathorax. The final instar is reddish brown.
Caterpillars can be found on Breonia, Cinchona, Ixora, Pavetta, Uncaria, Wendlandia and Alstonia plants.
Subspecies
• Daphnis hypothous hypothous (Indonesia including the Andaman Islands and Seram)
• Daphnis hypothous crameri Eitschberger & Melichar, 2010 (South and South-East Asia)
Related species
• Daphnis nerii, white spot is absent at the apex of forewing.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genusb: Daphnis
Species : D. hypothous
Binomial nam Daphnis hypothous
(Cramer, 1780)
Synonyms
Sphinx hypothous Cramer, 1780
Daphnis hypothous, the jade hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described by Pieter Cramer in 1780.
Chinese name :(臺灣): 白腰天蛾, 茜草白腰天蛾, 暗綠白腰天蛾
D. hypothous is known from Sri Lanka, southern and northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia and probably an introduce species to Singapore
It is a rare vagrant to the Western Palaearctic realm. During the last hundred years a number have been discovered within the Middle East and one was even found in Scotland late in the 20th century but this was probably imported as a pupa with cargo.
The wingspan of Daphnis hypothous is 86–120 mm. It is a very fast flyer and is attracted to both sweet-smelling flowers and light. It differs from (Daphnis nerii the oleander hawk-moth or army green moth) in having the head and collar uniformly dark purplish brown. Thorax and first two abdominal segments are dark green with a white fringe to the first segment. Other abdominal segments are dark olive green with the streaks and spots as in D. nerii.
D. hypothous wings are similar to D. nerii but very much darker on both dorsal and ventral side. A white spot is present at the apex of forewing and at the end of cell of forewing ventral side.
Larva is green with yellow dots at its sides. There is a dark dorsal line, a subdorsal purple-red band, edged with yellow on thoracic somites and a blue ocellus on the third somite. Horn is purplish brown with white tubercles. Before changing to pupa, the larva becomes blotched with dark red.
Larvae have been recorded feeding on Rubiaceae
species, including Cinchona, Wendlandia and Uncaria species in India. Most instars are green with a brown backward-curving tailhorn and a pair of white or red and yellow dorso-lateral stripes. Some instars have various coloured markings along the sides, including a blue eyespot on each side of the metathorax. The final instar is reddish brown.
Caterpillars can be found on Breonia, Cinchona, Ixora, Pavetta, Uncaria, Wendlandia and Alstonia plants.
Subspecies
• Daphnis hypothous hypothous (Indonesia including the Andaman Islands and Seram)
• Daphnis hypothous crameri Eitschberger & Melichar, 2010 (South and South-East Asia)
Related species
• Daphnis nerii, white spot is absent at the apex of forewing.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Sphingidae
Genusb: Daphnis
Species : D. hypothous
Binomial nam Daphnis hypothous
(Cramer, 1780)
Synonyms
Sphinx hypothous Cramer, 1780
Ischyja manlia
Female
Ischyja manlia is a species of moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Pieter Cramer in 1776.
It is found in the Indian subregion, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, China, Okinawa, Sundaland, Sulawesi, Korea, the southern Moluccas, Australia (Queensland) and Palau. Adults pierce the skin of fruit to suck the juice.
The wingspan of the male ranges from 80 to 100 mm and female with 96–112 mm.
In the male, the head and thorax are red brown. Abdomen fuscous or red brown. A white spot is found at the base of the hind tibia and others on the outer spur of midlegs and outer medial spur of hindlegs.
Forewings pale or dark red brown or olive brown, irrorated (sprinkled) with dark specks. There are traces of antemedial and medial waved lines. A straight oblique postmedial line found. Orbicular and reniform greyish or ochreous, or in the form of deep black quadrate spots with white edges. Black spots can be seen below center and end of cell generally present, with a white lunule on it and conjoined by a streak. There is a large ochreous patch found sometimes present from lower end of cell to inner margin. An obscure waved sub-marginal line commencing as an oblique streak from the apex.
Hindwings very dark red brown. The area near anal angle greyish with dark strigae. A broad, irregularly angled, purplish-blue medial band runs from costa to vein 2. A black spot with pale streak can be seen on it above anal angle. Ventral side of forewing with white irregular postmedial band from the costa to vein 2. Hindwings with dentate postmedial line present.
In the female, the forewings are much uniform in colour and without the black patches. The oblique line is prominent. Hindwings with broad and more regular band. No mark can be seen above the anal angle. The colour often very dark.
Larvae are purplish brown and ochreous, irregularly marked with short black streaks. Their head is ochreous with brown speckles. The 4th to 6th and then 10th and 11th somites with short dorsal conical prominences. Pupa efflorescent.
The larvae feed on Schima species, Ligustrum sinense, Cinnamomum camphora, Mangifera indica, Schima wallichi, Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis. They are dark rich brown. The final instar has a band of paler rufous brown.
Subspecies :
• Ischyja manlia manlia
• Ischyja manlia amboinensis Felder, 1861 (southern Moluccas)
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ischyja
Species: I. manlia
Binomial name Ischyja manlia
(Cramer, 1776)
It is found in the Indian subregion, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Singapore, China, Okinawa, Sundaland, Sulawesi, Korea, the southern Moluccas, Australia (Queensland) and Palau. Adults pierce the skin of fruit to suck the juice.
The wingspan of the male ranges from 80 to 100 mm and female with 96–112 mm.
In the male, the head and thorax are red brown. Abdomen fuscous or red brown. A white spot is found at the base of the hind tibia and others on the outer spur of midlegs and outer medial spur of hindlegs.
Forewings pale or dark red brown or olive brown, irrorated (sprinkled) with dark specks. There are traces of antemedial and medial waved lines. A straight oblique postmedial line found. Orbicular and reniform greyish or ochreous, or in the form of deep black quadrate spots with white edges. Black spots can be seen below center and end of cell generally present, with a white lunule on it and conjoined by a streak. There is a large ochreous patch found sometimes present from lower end of cell to inner margin. An obscure waved sub-marginal line commencing as an oblique streak from the apex.
Hindwings very dark red brown. The area near anal angle greyish with dark strigae. A broad, irregularly angled, purplish-blue medial band runs from costa to vein 2. A black spot with pale streak can be seen on it above anal angle. Ventral side of forewing with white irregular postmedial band from the costa to vein 2. Hindwings with dentate postmedial line present.
In the female, the forewings are much uniform in colour and without the black patches. The oblique line is prominent. Hindwings with broad and more regular band. No mark can be seen above the anal angle. The colour often very dark.
Larvae are purplish brown and ochreous, irregularly marked with short black streaks. Their head is ochreous with brown speckles. The 4th to 6th and then 10th and 11th somites with short dorsal conical prominences. Pupa efflorescent.
The larvae feed on Schima species, Ligustrum sinense, Cinnamomum camphora, Mangifera indica, Schima wallichi, Dimocarpus longan and Litchi chinensis. They are dark rich brown. The final instar has a band of paler rufous brown.
Subspecies :
• Ischyja manlia manlia
• Ischyja manlia amboinensis Felder, 1861 (southern Moluccas)
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Ischyja
Species: I. manlia
Binomial name Ischyja manlia
(Cramer, 1776)
Zeuxidia amethystus
common Saturn
common Saturn
Amathusiini is a tribe of the nymphalid butterfly subfamily Morphinae. They are large butterflies.
They are sometimes treated as a distinct subfamily Amathusiinae or family Amathusiidae.
Zeuxidia is a genus of very large butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are "leaf" butterflies with a cryptic ventral pattern. The genus is Indomalayan (Burma through Indochina and the Philippines to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Zeuxidia amethystus, the common Saturn, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1865.
This butterfly is relatively large and striking. Its forewings have a broad iridescent-blue band with a similar blue patch on the hindwing. It is not abundant in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
It has only be observed in dense forests often encountered along forest paths and generally fly no more than a few feet above the ground.
It can be approached while feeding on fermenting fallen fruits. Its flight period extends from May to September. It obtains minerals using mud-puddling behavior and seem to be prefer ammonium ions rather than sodium.
The majority of the species have drab and cryptic undersides that help the butterflies camouflage themselves amongst the forest leaf litter as they forage for food.
The species is partial to rotting fruit like papaya, guava or pineapple. In Singapore, the Saturn is often observed feeding on rotting figs.
The Saturn is a medium sized butterfly, usually attaining a wingspan of 100 mm or more.
The males are black above, with a broad iridescent blue discal band on the forewing with a large tornal patch of the same colour on the hindwing.
The female, blue is replaced with a pale yellow fascia and dull orange on the apical area of the hindwings. The undersides presents a leaf-like appearance with cryptic markings on a brown background and there are large ocelli on the hindwings.
The Saturn is a common butterfly along jungle paths, usually feeding on fallen fruits on the forest floor. The cryptic undersides camouflages it very well, amongst the dead leaves and twigs. It is sometimes collected and displayed as fine wall art.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Morphinae
Tribe: Amathusiini
Genus: Zeuxidia
Hübner, [1826]
Species: Z. amethystus
Binomial name Zeuxidia amethystus
Butler, 1865
They are sometimes treated as a distinct subfamily Amathusiinae or family Amathusiidae.
Zeuxidia is a genus of very large butterflies in the family Nymphalidae. They are "leaf" butterflies with a cryptic ventral pattern. The genus is Indomalayan (Burma through Indochina and the Philippines to Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
Zeuxidia amethystus, the common Saturn, is a species of butterfly in the family Nymphalidae. It was described by Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1865.
This butterfly is relatively large and striking. Its forewings have a broad iridescent-blue band with a similar blue patch on the hindwing. It is not abundant in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.
It has only be observed in dense forests often encountered along forest paths and generally fly no more than a few feet above the ground.
It can be approached while feeding on fermenting fallen fruits. Its flight period extends from May to September. It obtains minerals using mud-puddling behavior and seem to be prefer ammonium ions rather than sodium.
The majority of the species have drab and cryptic undersides that help the butterflies camouflage themselves amongst the forest leaf litter as they forage for food.
The species is partial to rotting fruit like papaya, guava or pineapple. In Singapore, the Saturn is often observed feeding on rotting figs.
The Saturn is a medium sized butterfly, usually attaining a wingspan of 100 mm or more.
The males are black above, with a broad iridescent blue discal band on the forewing with a large tornal patch of the same colour on the hindwing.
The female, blue is replaced with a pale yellow fascia and dull orange on the apical area of the hindwings. The undersides presents a leaf-like appearance with cryptic markings on a brown background and there are large ocelli on the hindwings.
The Saturn is a common butterfly along jungle paths, usually feeding on fallen fruits on the forest floor. The cryptic undersides camouflages it very well, amongst the dead leaves and twigs. It is sometimes collected and displayed as fine wall art.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Morphinae
Tribe: Amathusiini
Genus: Zeuxidia
Hübner, [1826]
Species: Z. amethystus
Binomial name Zeuxidia amethystus
Butler, 1865
Cyclosia sordidus
zygaenid moth
zygaenid moth
Cyclosia is a genus of zygaenid moth that has a mimicry complex with the milkweed butterfly.
Cyclosia sordidus is a species of Lepidoptera
in the family Zygaenidae. The habitat consists of rainforests and humid deciduous forests.
The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. Some of the 1000 or so species are commonly known as burnet or forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots, although other families also have 'foresters'. They are also sometimes called smoky moths.
Zygaenid moths are typically day flying with a slow, fluttering flight, and with rather clubbed antennae. They generally have a metallic sheen and often prominent spots of red or yellow.
The bright colours are a warning to predators that the moths are distasteful, they contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) throughout all stages of their life cycle. Unlike most insects with such toxins, they obtain glucosides from the plants they utilize so that HCN can be used as a defence.
However, they are capable of making HCN themselves
and when in an environment poor in cyanide
producing plants, synthesize it themselves. They form mimicry complexes based on these toxins.
However, while the overall picture is of genuine aposematism the insects are both conspicuously coloured and toxic, containing cyanogenic glucosides, a study by Emmanuelle Briolat and colleagues including Martin Stevens found no evidence of a quantitative relationship between the visual signals of different species of Zygaenidae and their toxicity.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Zygaenidae
Subfamily: Chalcosiinae
Genus: Cyclosia
Hübner, 1820
Species: Cyclosia sordidus (Walker, 1862)
Synonyms
Klaboana Moore, 1879
Cyclosia sordidus is a species of Lepidoptera
in the family Zygaenidae. The habitat consists of rainforests and humid deciduous forests.
The majority of zygaenids are tropical, but they are nevertheless quite well represented in temperate regions. Some of the 1000 or so species are commonly known as burnet or forester moths, often qualified by the number of spots, although other families also have 'foresters'. They are also sometimes called smoky moths.
Zygaenid moths are typically day flying with a slow, fluttering flight, and with rather clubbed antennae. They generally have a metallic sheen and often prominent spots of red or yellow.
The bright colours are a warning to predators that the moths are distasteful, they contain hydrogen cyanide (HCN) throughout all stages of their life cycle. Unlike most insects with such toxins, they obtain glucosides from the plants they utilize so that HCN can be used as a defence.
However, they are capable of making HCN themselves
and when in an environment poor in cyanide
producing plants, synthesize it themselves. They form mimicry complexes based on these toxins.
However, while the overall picture is of genuine aposematism the insects are both conspicuously coloured and toxic, containing cyanogenic glucosides, a study by Emmanuelle Briolat and colleagues including Martin Stevens found no evidence of a quantitative relationship between the visual signals of different species of Zygaenidae and their toxicity.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Zygaenidae
Subfamily: Chalcosiinae
Genus: Cyclosia
Hübner, 1820
Species: Cyclosia sordidus (Walker, 1862)
Synonyms
Klaboana Moore, 1879
male
Theretra latreillii (土色斜纹天蛾)
Theretra is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae. The genus was established by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Theretra latreillii (土色斜纹天蛾) the pale brown hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described
by William Sharp Macleay in 1826.
It is found in most of Asia, including Borneo, China,
Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and also throughout the tropical and temperate regions of Australia.
The adult grows to a length of about 70 millimetres (2.8 in). The body is ochreous brown. Antennae, head front and sides of thorax are paler. Forewing with a black speck at end of cell.
There are two oblique indistinct lines from near the apex to near base of inner margin. Three similar lines running from the apex nearly parallel to outer margin.
Hindwing is smoky black with paler towards anal angle. Ventral side is with a slight rosy tinge.
The subspecies T. l. tenebrosa is darker on both upper and undersides than T. l. lucasii, which again is darker than T. l. rhesus. Larva is brown with darker specks. A pale lateral line runs on thoracic somites. Ocellus on 4th somite is whitish, centered with a black ring on an ochreous ground.
Larvae have been recorded on Parthenocissus
quinquefolia, Cayratia clematidea, Cayratia corniculata,
Impatiens walleriana, Leea indica, Lagerstroemia indica and Fuchsia species.
Theretra latreillii latreillii - nominate from Australia.
Theretra latreillii lucasii (Walker, 1856) (Sri Lanka, southern and north-eastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Andaman Islands, Thailand, southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines)
Theretra latreillii prattorum Clark, 1924 (Indonesia)
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Theretra
Species: T. latreillii
Binomial name Theretra latreillii
(Macleay, 1826)
Theretra latreillii (土色斜纹天蛾) the pale brown hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described
by William Sharp Macleay in 1826.
It is found in most of Asia, including Borneo, China,
Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and also throughout the tropical and temperate regions of Australia.
The adult grows to a length of about 70 millimetres (2.8 in). The body is ochreous brown. Antennae, head front and sides of thorax are paler. Forewing with a black speck at end of cell.
There are two oblique indistinct lines from near the apex to near base of inner margin. Three similar lines running from the apex nearly parallel to outer margin.
Hindwing is smoky black with paler towards anal angle. Ventral side is with a slight rosy tinge.
The subspecies T. l. tenebrosa is darker on both upper and undersides than T. l. lucasii, which again is darker than T. l. rhesus. Larva is brown with darker specks. A pale lateral line runs on thoracic somites. Ocellus on 4th somite is whitish, centered with a black ring on an ochreous ground.
Larvae have been recorded on Parthenocissus
quinquefolia, Cayratia clematidea, Cayratia corniculata,
Impatiens walleriana, Leea indica, Lagerstroemia indica and Fuchsia species.
Theretra latreillii latreillii - nominate from Australia.
Theretra latreillii lucasii (Walker, 1856) (Sri Lanka, southern and north-eastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Andaman Islands, Thailand, southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines)
Theretra latreillii prattorum Clark, 1924 (Indonesia)
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Theretra
Species: T. latreillii
Binomial name Theretra latreillii
(Macleay, 1826)
Eumelea ludovicata (黃粉尺蛾)
Eumelea is a genus of moths in the family Geometridae. It was described by James Duncan and John O. Westwood in 1841. Species are confined to Austro-Malayan subregions and throughout China,
India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Eumelea ludovicata (黃粉尺蛾) is a moth of the family Geometridae first described by Achille Guenée in 1858. It is found in Indo-Australian tropics of India, Sri Lanka, east to Singapore, Taiwan, the Solomon Islands and Guam.
The adult has a fluttering, erratic flight. The male is more reddish, whereas female is yellowish. The caterpillar has a cylindrical yellowish-white body with many longitudinal lines.
Setae minute and spiracles greenish. Its round shaped head is yellowish white with rusty markings. Hairs are present, which are short, erect and thick. Host plant is always Macaranga species.
Pupa elongate with semi-elliptical, flattened
cremaster. Pupal case for the proboscis and antennae extends free. Caterpillar resting straight at 60 degrees to the leaf surface, which is often confused as a twig. Pupation occurs between two leaves fastened together coated inside with silk.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Desmobathrinae
Genus: Eumelea
Duncan [& Westwood], 1841
Species: E. ludovicata
Binomial name Eumelea ludovicata
(Guenée, 1858)
India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Eumelea ludovicata (黃粉尺蛾) is a moth of the family Geometridae first described by Achille Guenée in 1858. It is found in Indo-Australian tropics of India, Sri Lanka, east to Singapore, Taiwan, the Solomon Islands and Guam.
The adult has a fluttering, erratic flight. The male is more reddish, whereas female is yellowish. The caterpillar has a cylindrical yellowish-white body with many longitudinal lines.
Setae minute and spiracles greenish. Its round shaped head is yellowish white with rusty markings. Hairs are present, which are short, erect and thick. Host plant is always Macaranga species.
Pupa elongate with semi-elliptical, flattened
cremaster. Pupal case for the proboscis and antennae extends free. Caterpillar resting straight at 60 degrees to the leaf surface, which is often confused as a twig. Pupation occurs between two leaves fastened together coated inside with silk.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Desmobathrinae
Genus: Eumelea
Duncan [& Westwood], 1841
Species: E. ludovicata
Binomial name Eumelea ludovicata
(Guenée, 1858)
Lyssa zampa
tropical swallowtail moth
tropical swallowtail moth
Lyssa is a genus of moths in the family Uraniidae. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1823.
The genus includes relatively large moths that are found in southern Asia and the Pacific region.
Lyssa zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth or Laos brown butterfly, is a moth of the family Uraniidae.
The Uraniidae are a family of moths containing
four subfamilies, 90 genera, and roughly 700 species. The family is distributed throughout the tropics of the Americas, Africa and Indo-Australia.
Some of the tropical species are known for their bright, butterfly-like colors and are called sunset moths (for example Chrysiridia rhipheus). Such moths are apparently toxic and the bright colors are a warning to predators.
The family Uraniidae contains both diurnal and
nocturnal species. The day-flying species are usually more strikingly colored and vibrant than the nocturnal ones. Many diurnal species also have iridescent scales and multiple tails, which often led them to be mistaken for butterflies.
In sharp contrast, the nocturnal species are generally small, pale-colored insects. The Uraniidae are similar to the geometer moths, to which they are related, but a different wing veining pattern distinguishes them.
Lyssa zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth or Laos brown butterfly was first described by British entomologist Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1869.
It is native to a wide range of tropical South-East Asia country : Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand,
and the Philippines and it is also recorded from Andaman Islands, southern China, the Himalayas, and sporadically in East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
The forewing length is about 70 mm (2.8 in) and the wingspan reaches a maximum of 160 mm (6.3 in).
It is most abundant from May to November depending on the location. The genus Lyssa is generally categorized as a nocturnal or crepuscular group, but this species has been found to be active both during the day and at night. This species is also known for its mass emergence and migration because of that ecology and the habit that they are often attracted by urban bright lights.
The larvae feed on Endospermum and other members of the rubber tree family
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Uraniidae
Genus: Lyssa
Species: L. zampa
Binomial name Lyssa zampa
Butler, 1869
The genus includes relatively large moths that are found in southern Asia and the Pacific region.
Lyssa zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth or Laos brown butterfly, is a moth of the family Uraniidae.
The Uraniidae are a family of moths containing
four subfamilies, 90 genera, and roughly 700 species. The family is distributed throughout the tropics of the Americas, Africa and Indo-Australia.
Some of the tropical species are known for their bright, butterfly-like colors and are called sunset moths (for example Chrysiridia rhipheus). Such moths are apparently toxic and the bright colors are a warning to predators.
The family Uraniidae contains both diurnal and
nocturnal species. The day-flying species are usually more strikingly colored and vibrant than the nocturnal ones. Many diurnal species also have iridescent scales and multiple tails, which often led them to be mistaken for butterflies.
In sharp contrast, the nocturnal species are generally small, pale-colored insects. The Uraniidae are similar to the geometer moths, to which they are related, but a different wing veining pattern distinguishes them.
Lyssa zampa, the tropical swallowtail moth or Laos brown butterfly was first described by British entomologist Arthur Gardiner Butler in 1869.
It is native to a wide range of tropical South-East Asia country : Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand,
and the Philippines and it is also recorded from Andaman Islands, southern China, the Himalayas, and sporadically in East Asia, Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
The forewing length is about 70 mm (2.8 in) and the wingspan reaches a maximum of 160 mm (6.3 in).
It is most abundant from May to November depending on the location. The genus Lyssa is generally categorized as a nocturnal or crepuscular group, but this species has been found to be active both during the day and at night. This species is also known for its mass emergence and migration because of that ecology and the habit that they are often attracted by urban bright lights.
The larvae feed on Endospermum and other members of the rubber tree family
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Uraniidae
Genus: Lyssa
Species: L. zampa
Binomial name Lyssa zampa
Butler, 1869
Delias hyparete
painted Jezebel
painted Jezebel
Delias is a genus of butterflies. There are about 250 species of the genus Delias, found in South Asia and Australia. The genus is considered to have its evolutionary origins in the Australian region.
Delias hyparete, the painted Jezebel, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae, found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Delias
Species: D. hyparete
Binomial name Delias hyparete
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Delias hyparete, the painted Jezebel, is a medium-sized butterfly of the family Pieridae, found in South Asia and Southeast Asia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Pieridae
Genus: Delias
Species: D. hyparete
Binomial name Delias hyparete
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Dysphania militaris
false tiger moth
false tiger moth
Dysphania is a genus of colourful moths in the family Geometridae and typical of the tribe Dysphaniini, they are sometimes called 'false tiger moths' and are found in northeast Australia, Melanesia, and south, east
and southeast Asia.
Most Dysphania are day flying, but there are also nocturnal species. With a typical wingspan of 50–85 millimetres (2.0–3.3 in), they are relatively large compared to many other members of this family.
Dysphania militaris is a species of moth of the family Geometridae that is found from in the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asian countries such as China, India, Myanmar, Andaman Islands, Sumatra and Java. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Its wingspan is about 80–96 mm. Forewings of male produced, long and narrow. The fovea strongly developed. Head, thorax and abdomen golden yellowish with purplish bands.
Forewings with golden-yellow basal half, the outer half deep purplish with its inner edge irregularly sinuous. Two oblique basal purple fascia, where the lower fascia sometimes having a spot detached from it. Two spots found on costa near base. There is an oblique antemedial series of three spots often conjoined, the outer area with two pale blue maculate bands, where the outer ending found at vein 3.
Hindwings golden yellow, with a large purple discocellular spot and a spot below the cell. A postmedial lunulate band excurved between veins 3 and 5. A submarginal spot series becoming large conjoined lunulate patches at apex. The spots on the yellow area are very variable.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Geometrinae
Genus: Dysphania
Species: D. militaris
Binomial name Dysphania militaris
(Linnaeus, 1758)
and southeast Asia.
Most Dysphania are day flying, but there are also nocturnal species. With a typical wingspan of 50–85 millimetres (2.0–3.3 in), they are relatively large compared to many other members of this family.
Dysphania militaris is a species of moth of the family Geometridae that is found from in the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asian countries such as China, India, Myanmar, Andaman Islands, Sumatra and Java. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Its wingspan is about 80–96 mm. Forewings of male produced, long and narrow. The fovea strongly developed. Head, thorax and abdomen golden yellowish with purplish bands.
Forewings with golden-yellow basal half, the outer half deep purplish with its inner edge irregularly sinuous. Two oblique basal purple fascia, where the lower fascia sometimes having a spot detached from it. Two spots found on costa near base. There is an oblique antemedial series of three spots often conjoined, the outer area with two pale blue maculate bands, where the outer ending found at vein 3.
Hindwings golden yellow, with a large purple discocellular spot and a spot below the cell. A postmedial lunulate band excurved between veins 3 and 5. A submarginal spot series becoming large conjoined lunulate patches at apex. The spots on the yellow area are very variable.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Geometrinae
Genus: Dysphania
Species: D. militaris
Binomial name Dysphania militaris
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Castalius rosimon
common pirrot
common pirrot
Castalius is a butterfly genus in the family Lycaenidae. They are commonly known as Pierrots. This name is also often used for the very closely related genus Tarucus.
The Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon) is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the Lycaenids or Blues family.
The male underside of the wings is white with black spots and streaks. The base of the upper side of both wings is a beautiful shiny pale blue, and more extensive. Upper side is also mainly white. The hind wing has three basal black somewhat coalescent spots overlaid with metallic blue scaling.
Fore wing has a long oblique black band from base outwards to the costa and below it, obliquely placed an irregular black somewhat conical. Following these are two outwardly oblique, medially interrupted, black macular bands. There is a seasonal variation in the size and intensity of these black markings; the wet season forms have larger and darker markings than those from the dry season.
The female similar to the male but with the black markings on the upper and under sides broader. The base of the upper side of both wings is a beautiful
shiny pale blue, and less extensive. The sub marginal bands above are much wider
C.rosimon can be found in cultivated areas along hedges and fences, and home gardens with overgrown scrub with interspersed trees. It basks in the sun and prefers open spaces and scrub jungle.
The larvae of c.rosimon feed on Zizyphus jujube, Zizyphus mauritiana, Zizyphus rugosa of family Rhamnaceae.
Distribution : Sri Lanka, S.India to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, S.China, Hainan, Hong Kong, Langkawi, W.Malaysia, Tioman, Singapore, Andamans, Nicobars, Sumatra, Bangka, Borneo, Java, Bali, Lesser Sunda, Timor, Sulawesi.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Lycaenidae
Subfamily : Polyommatinae
Tribe : Polyommatini
Genus : Castalius
Hübner, 1819
Species : C. rosimo
Binomial name Castalius rosimon
(Fabricius, 1775)
The Common Pierrot (Castalius rosimon) is a small butterfly found in India that belongs to the Lycaenids or Blues family.
The male underside of the wings is white with black spots and streaks. The base of the upper side of both wings is a beautiful shiny pale blue, and more extensive. Upper side is also mainly white. The hind wing has three basal black somewhat coalescent spots overlaid with metallic blue scaling.
Fore wing has a long oblique black band from base outwards to the costa and below it, obliquely placed an irregular black somewhat conical. Following these are two outwardly oblique, medially interrupted, black macular bands. There is a seasonal variation in the size and intensity of these black markings; the wet season forms have larger and darker markings than those from the dry season.
The female similar to the male but with the black markings on the upper and under sides broader. The base of the upper side of both wings is a beautiful
shiny pale blue, and less extensive. The sub marginal bands above are much wider
C.rosimon can be found in cultivated areas along hedges and fences, and home gardens with overgrown scrub with interspersed trees. It basks in the sun and prefers open spaces and scrub jungle.
The larvae of c.rosimon feed on Zizyphus jujube, Zizyphus mauritiana, Zizyphus rugosa of family Rhamnaceae.
Distribution : Sri Lanka, S.India to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, S.China, Hainan, Hong Kong, Langkawi, W.Malaysia, Tioman, Singapore, Andamans, Nicobars, Sumatra, Bangka, Borneo, Java, Bali, Lesser Sunda, Timor, Sulawesi.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Lycaenidae
Subfamily : Polyommatinae
Tribe : Polyommatini
Genus : Castalius
Hübner, 1819
Species : C. rosimo
Binomial name Castalius rosimon
(Fabricius, 1775)
Elymnias hypermnestra
common palmfly caterpillar
common palmfly caterpillar
Elymnias hypermnestra, the common palmfly, is a species of satyrine butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia.
Larva of common palmfly :
Race caudata "Spindle-shaped, slender, transversely rugose and clothed with short stout bristles, head large, surmounted by two stout horns, sloping backwards, slightly branched at the ends, a pair of long straight caudal spines setose like the body, colour bright green with longitudinal yellow lines more or less distinct and two rows of large yellow spots tinged with green and sometimes tipped with black on the back, head dark brown, with a yellow cheek-stripe and frontal-line.
Race undularis "Elongate, fusiform, setose, green with longitudinal dorsal and lateral yellow lines, and a subdorsal row of yellow elongated spots, which are centred with red and posteriorly edged with blue; head brownish, armed with two erect brownish setose processes; anal segment also with two red slender hindward-projecting processes. Larvae are known to be cannibalistic.
Caterpillars are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Symphyta) are commonly called caterpillars as well. Both lepidopteran and symphytan larvae have eruciform body shapes.
Caterpillars of most species eat plant material (often leaves), but not all; some (about 1%) eat insects, and some are even cannibalistic. Some feed on other animal products. For example, clothes moths feed on wool, and horn moths feed on the hooves and horns of dead ungulates.
Caterpillars are typically voracious feeders and many of them are among the most serious of agricultural pests. Many moth species are best known in their caterpillar stages because of the damage they cause to fruits and other agricultural produce, whereas the moths are obscure and do no direct harm.
On the reverse various species of caterpillar are valued as sources of silk, as human or animal food, or for biological control of pest plants.
Caterpillars have soft bodies that can grow rapidly between moults. Their size varies between species and instars (moults) from as small as 1 millimetre (0.039 in) up to 14 centimetres (5.5 in).
Some larvae of the order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) can appear like the caterpillars of the Lepidoptera. Such larvae are mainly seen in the sawfly
suborder.
However while these larvae superficially resemble caterpillars, they can be distinguished by the presence of prolegs on every abdominal segment, an absence of crochets or hooks on the prolegs, wherelse these are present on lepidopteran caterpillars, one pair of prominent ocelli on the head capsule, and an absence of the upside-down Y-shaped suture on the front of the head.
Lepidopteran caterpillars can be differentiated from sawfly larvae by the numbers of pairs of pro-legs, sawfly larvae have 6 or more pairs while caterpillars have a maximum of 5 pairs.
The number of stemmata (simple eyes), the sawfly larvae have only two, while caterpillars usually have twelve (six each side of the head)
The presence of crochets on the prolegs; these are absent in the sawflies, sawfly larvae have an invariably smooth head capsule with no cleavage lines, while lepidopterous caterpillars bear an inverted "Y" or "V" (adfrontal suture).
Many animals feed on caterpillars as they are rich in protein. As a result, caterpillars have evolved various means of defense against physical conditions such as cold, hot or dry environmental conditions.
Some Arctic species like Gynaephora groenlandica have special basking and aggregation behaviours apart from physiological adaptations to remain in a dormant state.
The appearance of a caterpillar can often repel a predator, its markings and certain body parts can make it seem poisonous or bigger in size and thus threatening or non-edible.
Some types of caterpillars are indeed poisonous or distasteful and their bright coloring warns predators of this. Others may mimic dangerous caterpillars or other animals while not being dangerous themselves.
Many caterpillars are cryptically colored and resemble the plants on which they feed. An example of caterpillars that use camouflage for defense is the species Nemoria arizonaria.
If the caterpillars hatch in the spring and feed on oak catkins they appear green. If they hatch in the summer they appear dark colored, like oak twigs. The differential development is linked to the tannin content in the diet.
Caterpillars may even have spines or growths that resemble plant parts such as thorns. Some look like objects in the environment such as bird droppings. Some Geometridae cover themselves in plant parts, while bagworms construct and live in a bag covered in sand, pebbles or plant material.
More aggressive self-defense measures are taken by some caterpillars with its chemical defence. These measures include having spiny bristles or long fine hair-like setae with detachable tips that will irritate by lodging in the skin or mucous membranes. However some birds (such as cuckoos) will swallow even the hairiest of caterpillars.
Other caterpillars acquire toxins from their host plants that render them unpalatable to most of their predators. For instance, ornate moth caterpillars utilize pyrrolizidine alkaloids that they obtain from their food plants to deter predators.
The most aggressive caterpillar defenses are bristles associated with venom glands. These bristles are called urticating hairs.
Plants contain toxins which protect them from herbivores, but some caterpillars have evolved countermeasures which enable them to eat the leaves of such toxic plants. In addition to being unaffected by the poison, the caterpillars sequester it in their body, making them highly toxic to predators.
The chemicals are also carried on into the adult stages. These toxic species, such as the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) and monarch (Danaus plexippus) caterpillars, usually advertise themselves with the danger colors of red, yellow and black, often in bright stripes (see aposematism). Any predator that attempts to eat a caterpillar with an aggressive defense mechanism will learn and avoid future attempts.
Some caterpillars regurgitate acidic digestive juices at attacking enemies. Many papilionid larvae produce bad smells from extrudable glands called osmeteria.
Many caterpillars display feeding behaviors which allow the caterpillar to remain hidden from potential predators. Many feed in protected environments, such as enclosed inside silk galleries, rolled leaves or by mining between the leaf surfaces.
Some caterpillars, like early instars of the tomato hornworm and tobacco hornworm, have long "whip-like" organs attached to the ends of their body. The caterpillar wiggles these organs to frighten away flies and predatory wasps.
Some caterpillars can evade predators by using a silk line and dropping off from branches when disturbed. Many species thrash about violently when disturbed to scare away potential predators. One species (Amorpha juglandis) even makes high pitched whistles that can scare away birds.
Some caterpillars had social behaviors and relationships with other insects. One of the example is it obtain protection by associating themselves with ants. The Lycaenid butterflies are particularly well known for this. They communicate with their ant protectors by vibrations as well as chemical means and typically provide food rewards.
Some caterpillars are gregarious, large aggregations are believed to help in reducing the levels of parasitization and predation. Clusters amplify the signal of aposematic coloration, and individuals may participate in group regurgitation or displays.
Caterpillars are eaten by many animals. The European pied flycatcher is one species that preys upon caterpillars. The flycatcher typically finds caterpillars among oak foliage. Paper wasps, including those in the genus Polistes and Polybia catch caterpillars to feed their young and themselves.
Caterpillar hair can be a cause of human health problems. Caterpillar hairs sometimes have venoms in them and species from approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwide can inflict serious human injuries ranging from urticarial dermatitis and atopic asthma to osteochondritis, consumption coagulopathy, kidney failure, and brain bleeding.
Skin rashes are the most common, but there have been fatalities. Lonomia is a frequent cause of envenomation in Brazil, with 354 cases reported between 1989 and 2005. Lethality ranging up to 20% with death caused most often by intracranial hemorrhage.
Caterpillar hair has also been known to cause kerato-conjunctivitis. The sharp barbs on the end of caterpillar hairs can get lodged in soft tissues and mucous membranes such as the eyes. Once they enter such tissues, they can be difficult to extract, often exacerbating the problem as they migrate across the membrane.
This becomes a particular problem in an indoor setting. The hair easily enter buildings through ventilation systems and accumulate in indoor environments because of their small size, which makes it difficult for them to be vented out. This accumulation increases the risk of human contact in indoor environments.
Caterpillars are a food source in some cultures. For example, in South Africa mopane worms are eaten by the bushmen, and in China silkworms are considered a delicacy.
The World's Most Venomous Caterpillar: The Lonomia Obliqua
A venom which is among the most potent defensive chemicals in any animal is produced by the South American silk moth genus Lonomia.
Its venom is an anticoagulant powerful enough to cause a human to hemorrhage
to death (See Lonomiasis). This chemical is being investigated for potential medical applications. Most urticating hairs range in effect from mild irritation to dermatitis. Example: brown-tail moth.
The Lonomia is a family of moths found in South America. There are 14 different species of Lonomia Moths. The most dangerous is the Lonomia Obliqua. They are most common in Southern Brazil. As caterpillars, these moths are highly venomous. They kill about three people a year. The anticoagulant properties of their venom are of great interest to the Medical community.
There are hundreds of published studies on their venom. It has been proven to stop life-threatening blood clots in people. Scientists are working on learning the chemical makeup of the venom so they can develop medications from it.
Lonomia caterpillars are found on trees and plants. People inadvertently rub against them as they pass by. To touch one of these caterpillars can cause pain, skin rash and bleeding.
Unfortunately, most people do not touch just one. Lonomia caterpillars tend to group together and normally a human touches several at once.
Combined, their venom packs quite the kick. It can cause internal haemorrhaging, severe pain and rashes, kidney failure and both in-vivo and in-vitro hemolysis. It can also cause death.
The symptoms caused by the Lonomia caterpillar’s venom are called Lonomiasis. The human fatality rate by these caterpillars is 1.7 percent. Interestingly, the fatality rate by rattlesnake bite is 1.8 percent. The Lonomia caterpillar has far more potent venom than the rattlesnake as they only use 0.001 percent of what a rattlesnake uses. Thankfully, scientists created anti-venom for these caterpillars in 1990.
Lonomia caterpillars have dark coloured bodies and are covered in hair. Their colouration allows them to blend into the tree bark so they are almost invisible.
They grow about one to two inches long and their hairs sticks out in one-inch spikes. Once they morph into moths, they are no longer venomous. As moths, they are only a couple inches long and have dull brown mottled wings. Their wing colouration helps them blend into their surroundings, keeping them safer from predators. They eat plants and tree leaves.
Lonomia caterpillars are one of the few venomous caterpillars on Earth and are the most deadly of all caterpillars. It is interest that they can be so deadly while in their caterpillar stage, yet transforms into something gentle and harmless.
For all those who vacation in South America, take extra care whenever you venture near vegetation, especially trees. One wrong step and you could be spending your vacation in the hospital instead of sightseeing.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Elymnias
Species: E. hypermnestra
Binomial name Elymnias hypermnestra
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Larva of common palmfly :
Race caudata "Spindle-shaped, slender, transversely rugose and clothed with short stout bristles, head large, surmounted by two stout horns, sloping backwards, slightly branched at the ends, a pair of long straight caudal spines setose like the body, colour bright green with longitudinal yellow lines more or less distinct and two rows of large yellow spots tinged with green and sometimes tipped with black on the back, head dark brown, with a yellow cheek-stripe and frontal-line.
Race undularis "Elongate, fusiform, setose, green with longitudinal dorsal and lateral yellow lines, and a subdorsal row of yellow elongated spots, which are centred with red and posteriorly edged with blue; head brownish, armed with two erect brownish setose processes; anal segment also with two red slender hindward-projecting processes. Larvae are known to be cannibalistic.
Caterpillars are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths).
As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Symphyta) are commonly called caterpillars as well. Both lepidopteran and symphytan larvae have eruciform body shapes.
Caterpillars of most species eat plant material (often leaves), but not all; some (about 1%) eat insects, and some are even cannibalistic. Some feed on other animal products. For example, clothes moths feed on wool, and horn moths feed on the hooves and horns of dead ungulates.
Caterpillars are typically voracious feeders and many of them are among the most serious of agricultural pests. Many moth species are best known in their caterpillar stages because of the damage they cause to fruits and other agricultural produce, whereas the moths are obscure and do no direct harm.
On the reverse various species of caterpillar are valued as sources of silk, as human or animal food, or for biological control of pest plants.
Caterpillars have soft bodies that can grow rapidly between moults. Their size varies between species and instars (moults) from as small as 1 millimetre (0.039 in) up to 14 centimetres (5.5 in).
Some larvae of the order Hymenoptera (ants, bees, and wasps) can appear like the caterpillars of the Lepidoptera. Such larvae are mainly seen in the sawfly
suborder.
However while these larvae superficially resemble caterpillars, they can be distinguished by the presence of prolegs on every abdominal segment, an absence of crochets or hooks on the prolegs, wherelse these are present on lepidopteran caterpillars, one pair of prominent ocelli on the head capsule, and an absence of the upside-down Y-shaped suture on the front of the head.
Lepidopteran caterpillars can be differentiated from sawfly larvae by the numbers of pairs of pro-legs, sawfly larvae have 6 or more pairs while caterpillars have a maximum of 5 pairs.
The number of stemmata (simple eyes), the sawfly larvae have only two, while caterpillars usually have twelve (six each side of the head)
The presence of crochets on the prolegs; these are absent in the sawflies, sawfly larvae have an invariably smooth head capsule with no cleavage lines, while lepidopterous caterpillars bear an inverted "Y" or "V" (adfrontal suture).
Many animals feed on caterpillars as they are rich in protein. As a result, caterpillars have evolved various means of defense against physical conditions such as cold, hot or dry environmental conditions.
Some Arctic species like Gynaephora groenlandica have special basking and aggregation behaviours apart from physiological adaptations to remain in a dormant state.
The appearance of a caterpillar can often repel a predator, its markings and certain body parts can make it seem poisonous or bigger in size and thus threatening or non-edible.
Some types of caterpillars are indeed poisonous or distasteful and their bright coloring warns predators of this. Others may mimic dangerous caterpillars or other animals while not being dangerous themselves.
Many caterpillars are cryptically colored and resemble the plants on which they feed. An example of caterpillars that use camouflage for defense is the species Nemoria arizonaria.
If the caterpillars hatch in the spring and feed on oak catkins they appear green. If they hatch in the summer they appear dark colored, like oak twigs. The differential development is linked to the tannin content in the diet.
Caterpillars may even have spines or growths that resemble plant parts such as thorns. Some look like objects in the environment such as bird droppings. Some Geometridae cover themselves in plant parts, while bagworms construct and live in a bag covered in sand, pebbles or plant material.
More aggressive self-defense measures are taken by some caterpillars with its chemical defence. These measures include having spiny bristles or long fine hair-like setae with detachable tips that will irritate by lodging in the skin or mucous membranes. However some birds (such as cuckoos) will swallow even the hairiest of caterpillars.
Other caterpillars acquire toxins from their host plants that render them unpalatable to most of their predators. For instance, ornate moth caterpillars utilize pyrrolizidine alkaloids that they obtain from their food plants to deter predators.
The most aggressive caterpillar defenses are bristles associated with venom glands. These bristles are called urticating hairs.
Plants contain toxins which protect them from herbivores, but some caterpillars have evolved countermeasures which enable them to eat the leaves of such toxic plants. In addition to being unaffected by the poison, the caterpillars sequester it in their body, making them highly toxic to predators.
The chemicals are also carried on into the adult stages. These toxic species, such as the cinnabar moth (Tyria jacobaeae) and monarch (Danaus plexippus) caterpillars, usually advertise themselves with the danger colors of red, yellow and black, often in bright stripes (see aposematism). Any predator that attempts to eat a caterpillar with an aggressive defense mechanism will learn and avoid future attempts.
Some caterpillars regurgitate acidic digestive juices at attacking enemies. Many papilionid larvae produce bad smells from extrudable glands called osmeteria.
Many caterpillars display feeding behaviors which allow the caterpillar to remain hidden from potential predators. Many feed in protected environments, such as enclosed inside silk galleries, rolled leaves or by mining between the leaf surfaces.
Some caterpillars, like early instars of the tomato hornworm and tobacco hornworm, have long "whip-like" organs attached to the ends of their body. The caterpillar wiggles these organs to frighten away flies and predatory wasps.
Some caterpillars can evade predators by using a silk line and dropping off from branches when disturbed. Many species thrash about violently when disturbed to scare away potential predators. One species (Amorpha juglandis) even makes high pitched whistles that can scare away birds.
Some caterpillars had social behaviors and relationships with other insects. One of the example is it obtain protection by associating themselves with ants. The Lycaenid butterflies are particularly well known for this. They communicate with their ant protectors by vibrations as well as chemical means and typically provide food rewards.
Some caterpillars are gregarious, large aggregations are believed to help in reducing the levels of parasitization and predation. Clusters amplify the signal of aposematic coloration, and individuals may participate in group regurgitation or displays.
Caterpillars are eaten by many animals. The European pied flycatcher is one species that preys upon caterpillars. The flycatcher typically finds caterpillars among oak foliage. Paper wasps, including those in the genus Polistes and Polybia catch caterpillars to feed their young and themselves.
Caterpillar hair can be a cause of human health problems. Caterpillar hairs sometimes have venoms in them and species from approximately 12 families of moths or butterflies worldwide can inflict serious human injuries ranging from urticarial dermatitis and atopic asthma to osteochondritis, consumption coagulopathy, kidney failure, and brain bleeding.
Skin rashes are the most common, but there have been fatalities. Lonomia is a frequent cause of envenomation in Brazil, with 354 cases reported between 1989 and 2005. Lethality ranging up to 20% with death caused most often by intracranial hemorrhage.
Caterpillar hair has also been known to cause kerato-conjunctivitis. The sharp barbs on the end of caterpillar hairs can get lodged in soft tissues and mucous membranes such as the eyes. Once they enter such tissues, they can be difficult to extract, often exacerbating the problem as they migrate across the membrane.
This becomes a particular problem in an indoor setting. The hair easily enter buildings through ventilation systems and accumulate in indoor environments because of their small size, which makes it difficult for them to be vented out. This accumulation increases the risk of human contact in indoor environments.
Caterpillars are a food source in some cultures. For example, in South Africa mopane worms are eaten by the bushmen, and in China silkworms are considered a delicacy.
The World's Most Venomous Caterpillar: The Lonomia Obliqua
A venom which is among the most potent defensive chemicals in any animal is produced by the South American silk moth genus Lonomia.
Its venom is an anticoagulant powerful enough to cause a human to hemorrhage
to death (See Lonomiasis). This chemical is being investigated for potential medical applications. Most urticating hairs range in effect from mild irritation to dermatitis. Example: brown-tail moth.
The Lonomia is a family of moths found in South America. There are 14 different species of Lonomia Moths. The most dangerous is the Lonomia Obliqua. They are most common in Southern Brazil. As caterpillars, these moths are highly venomous. They kill about three people a year. The anticoagulant properties of their venom are of great interest to the Medical community.
There are hundreds of published studies on their venom. It has been proven to stop life-threatening blood clots in people. Scientists are working on learning the chemical makeup of the venom so they can develop medications from it.
Lonomia caterpillars are found on trees and plants. People inadvertently rub against them as they pass by. To touch one of these caterpillars can cause pain, skin rash and bleeding.
Unfortunately, most people do not touch just one. Lonomia caterpillars tend to group together and normally a human touches several at once.
Combined, their venom packs quite the kick. It can cause internal haemorrhaging, severe pain and rashes, kidney failure and both in-vivo and in-vitro hemolysis. It can also cause death.
The symptoms caused by the Lonomia caterpillar’s venom are called Lonomiasis. The human fatality rate by these caterpillars is 1.7 percent. Interestingly, the fatality rate by rattlesnake bite is 1.8 percent. The Lonomia caterpillar has far more potent venom than the rattlesnake as they only use 0.001 percent of what a rattlesnake uses. Thankfully, scientists created anti-venom for these caterpillars in 1990.
Lonomia caterpillars have dark coloured bodies and are covered in hair. Their colouration allows them to blend into the tree bark so they are almost invisible.
They grow about one to two inches long and their hairs sticks out in one-inch spikes. Once they morph into moths, they are no longer venomous. As moths, they are only a couple inches long and have dull brown mottled wings. Their wing colouration helps them blend into their surroundings, keeping them safer from predators. They eat plants and tree leaves.
Lonomia caterpillars are one of the few venomous caterpillars on Earth and are the most deadly of all caterpillars. It is interest that they can be so deadly while in their caterpillar stage, yet transforms into something gentle and harmless.
For all those who vacation in South America, take extra care whenever you venture near vegetation, especially trees. One wrong step and you could be spending your vacation in the hospital instead of sightseeing.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Elymnias
Species: E. hypermnestra
Binomial name Elymnias hypermnestra
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Barsine roseororatus
The Arctiinae (formerly called the family Arctiidae) are a large and diverse subfamily of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species.
This subfamily includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers), which usually have bright colours, footmen, which are usually much drabber, lichen moths, and wasp moths.
Many species have "hairy" caterpillars that are
popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. The scientific name Arctiinae refers to this hairiness (Gk. αρκτος = a bear).
Some species within the Arctiinae have the word "tussock"' in their common names because they have been misidentified as members of the Lymantriinae subfamily based on the characteristics of the larvae.
Barsine roseororatus is a species of moth of the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae.
It is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. It has also been recorded as a millet pest in India.
This is a frequent species that is found in forested and disturbed habitats in the lowlands and more rarely up to about 2000 meters.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Barsine
Species: B. roseororatus
Binomial name Barsine roseororatus
(Butler, 1877)
This subfamily includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers), which usually have bright colours, footmen, which are usually much drabber, lichen moths, and wasp moths.
Many species have "hairy" caterpillars that are
popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. The scientific name Arctiinae refers to this hairiness (Gk. αρκτος = a bear).
Some species within the Arctiinae have the word "tussock"' in their common names because they have been misidentified as members of the Lymantriinae subfamily based on the characteristics of the larvae.
Barsine roseororatus is a species of moth of the family Erebidae, subfamily Arctiinae.
It is found in Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo. It has also been recorded as a millet pest in India.
This is a frequent species that is found in forested and disturbed habitats in the lowlands and more rarely up to about 2000 meters.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Barsine
Species: B. roseororatus
Binomial name Barsine roseororatus
(Butler, 1877)
Pterophoridae
Plume moths
Plume moths
The Pterophoridae or plume moths are a family of Lepidoptera with unusually modified wings. Though they belong to the Apoditrysia like the larger moths and the butterflies, unlike these they are tiny and were formerly included among the assemblage called "microlepidoptera".
In some respects, the pterophorid plume moth is fit to a "T."
At rest, the plume moth holds its slender wings at right angles to body, giving it a T-shaped profile.
They're called plume moths..."because the forewings are deeply notched and the hindwings are divided into three linear parts, each with long scale fringes. When perched, the insects roll the forewings around the folded hindwing plumes, resulting in peculiar sticklike or craneflylike appearance, unlike any other moth.
"Most are nocturnal and are attracted to lights.
The forewings of plume moths usually consist of two curved spars with more or less bedraggled bristles trailing behind. This resembles the closely related Alucitidae (many-plumed moths) at first glance, but the latter have a greater number of symmetrical plumes. The hindwings are similarly constructed, but have three spars. A few genera have normal lepidopteran wings.
The usual resting posture is with the wings extended laterally and narrowly rolled up. Often they resemble a piece of dried grass, and may pass unnoticed by potential predators even when resting in exposed situations in daylight. Some species have larvae which are stem- or root-borers while others are leaf-browsers.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Pterophoroidea
Family: Pterophoridae
Zeller, 1841
In some respects, the pterophorid plume moth is fit to a "T."
At rest, the plume moth holds its slender wings at right angles to body, giving it a T-shaped profile.
They're called plume moths..."because the forewings are deeply notched and the hindwings are divided into three linear parts, each with long scale fringes. When perched, the insects roll the forewings around the folded hindwing plumes, resulting in peculiar sticklike or craneflylike appearance, unlike any other moth.
"Most are nocturnal and are attracted to lights.
The forewings of plume moths usually consist of two curved spars with more or less bedraggled bristles trailing behind. This resembles the closely related Alucitidae (many-plumed moths) at first glance, but the latter have a greater number of symmetrical plumes. The hindwings are similarly constructed, but have three spars. A few genera have normal lepidopteran wings.
The usual resting posture is with the wings extended laterally and narrowly rolled up. Often they resemble a piece of dried grass, and may pass unnoticed by potential predators even when resting in exposed situations in daylight. Some species have larvae which are stem- or root-borers while others are leaf-browsers.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Pterophoroidea
Family: Pterophoridae
Zeller, 1841
Cirrhochrista fumipalpis
grass moth
grass moth
The Crambidae are the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae (grass moths) taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in wing-spread attitudes.
In many classifications, the Crambidae have been treated as a subfamily of the Pyralidae or snout-moths.
The principal difference is a structure in the tympanal organs called the praecinctorium, which joins two tympanic membranes in the Crambidae, and is absent from the Pyralidae.
The latest review by Munroe and Solis, in Kristensen (1999), retains the Crambidae as a full family. The family currently comprises 15 subfamilies with altogether 10,347 species in over 1,000 genera.
Since crambids are relatively common throughout human settlements, the moths tend to affect crops and gardens, whether harmfully, beneficially or harmlessly.
Crambid larvae are typically stem borers in plants of the grass family. As this family contains many important crops, some Crambidae species achieve pest status.
Cirrhochrista fumipalpis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is found on the Moluccas.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Cirrhochrista
Species: C. fumipalpis
Binomial name Cirrhochrista fumipalpis
C. Felder, R. Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875
In many classifications, the Crambidae have been treated as a subfamily of the Pyralidae or snout-moths.
The principal difference is a structure in the tympanal organs called the praecinctorium, which joins two tympanic membranes in the Crambidae, and is absent from the Pyralidae.
The latest review by Munroe and Solis, in Kristensen (1999), retains the Crambidae as a full family. The family currently comprises 15 subfamilies with altogether 10,347 species in over 1,000 genera.
Since crambids are relatively common throughout human settlements, the moths tend to affect crops and gardens, whether harmfully, beneficially or harmlessly.
Crambid larvae are typically stem borers in plants of the grass family. As this family contains many important crops, some Crambidae species achieve pest status.
Cirrhochrista fumipalpis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Cajetan Felder, Rudolf Felder and Alois Friedrich Rogenhofer in 1875. It is found on the Moluccas.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Cirrhochrista
Species: C. fumipalpis
Binomial name Cirrhochrista fumipalpis
C. Felder, R. Felder & Rogenhofer, 1875
Papilio demoleus
Lime swallowtail
Lime swallowtail
Papilio demoleus, a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. The butterfly is also known as the lime butterfly, lemon butterfly, lime swallowtail, and chequered swallowtail.
P. demoleus is perhaps the most widely distributed swallowtail in the world.
The widespread range of P. demoleus indicates the butterfly's tolerance and adaptation to diverse habitats. It is found in savannahs, fallow lands, gardens, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and shows a preference for streams and riverbeds.
The lime butterfly is an economic pest on many cultivated citrus species.
These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as the cultivated lime.
P.demoleus unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. This butterfly is a pest and invasive species, found from Asia to Australia and has spread to Hispaniola island (Dominican Republic) in the Western Hemisphere, and to Mahé, Seychelles.
P.demoleus is tailless and has a wingspan of 80–100 mm. Above, the background colour is black. A broad, irregular yellow band is found on the wings above, which is broken in the case of the forewing.
Besides this, the butterfly has a large number of irregular spots on the wing. The upper hindwing has a red tornal spot with blue edging around it.
P. demoleus is an avid mud-puddler and visitor of flowers. It basks with its wings held wide open on tufts of grass and herbs, and generally keeps within a metre of the ground, even on cloudy days. It relies on its quick flight for escape. It has a number of modes of flight. In the cool of the morning, the flight is slow considering that it is an edible and unprotected swallowtail.
As the day progresses, it flies fast, straight, and low. In the hotter part of the day, it may be found settling on damp patches, where it will remain motionless, except for an occasional flutter of wings, if not disturbed.
It is also a frequent visitor of flowers in gardens, where it shows a preference for flowers of smaller herbs rather than larger plants such as the ubiquitous Lantana with its plentiful blooms. It can be found swarming in the groves of its food plants.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. demoleus
Binomial name Papilio demoleus
Linnaeus, 1758
P. demoleus is perhaps the most widely distributed swallowtail in the world.
The widespread range of P. demoleus indicates the butterfly's tolerance and adaptation to diverse habitats. It is found in savannahs, fallow lands, gardens, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and shows a preference for streams and riverbeds.
The lime butterfly is an economic pest on many cultivated citrus species.
These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as the cultivated lime.
P.demoleus unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. This butterfly is a pest and invasive species, found from Asia to Australia and has spread to Hispaniola island (Dominican Republic) in the Western Hemisphere, and to Mahé, Seychelles.
P.demoleus is tailless and has a wingspan of 80–100 mm. Above, the background colour is black. A broad, irregular yellow band is found on the wings above, which is broken in the case of the forewing.
Besides this, the butterfly has a large number of irregular spots on the wing. The upper hindwing has a red tornal spot with blue edging around it.
P. demoleus is an avid mud-puddler and visitor of flowers. It basks with its wings held wide open on tufts of grass and herbs, and generally keeps within a metre of the ground, even on cloudy days. It relies on its quick flight for escape. It has a number of modes of flight. In the cool of the morning, the flight is slow considering that it is an edible and unprotected swallowtail.
As the day progresses, it flies fast, straight, and low. In the hotter part of the day, it may be found settling on damp patches, where it will remain motionless, except for an occasional flutter of wings, if not disturbed.
It is also a frequent visitor of flowers in gardens, where it shows a preference for flowers of smaller herbs rather than larger plants such as the ubiquitous Lantana with its plentiful blooms. It can be found swarming in the groves of its food plants.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. demoleus
Binomial name Papilio demoleus
Linnaeus, 1758
Creatonotos gangis
Arctiine moth
Arctiine moth
Creatonotos gangis is a species of arctiine moth in South East Asia and Australia. It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1763 Centuria Insectorum.
Adults have white hindwings and brown forewings, each with a dark streak, and a wingspan of 4 cm. The abdomen is red or, more rarely, yellow. Males have four large eversible coremata (scent organs), which can exceed the length of the abdomen when inflated.
The eggs are yellow and round, and are laid in rows on the leaves of food plants.
The caterpillars are brown hairy animals with a yellow stripe along the back, with a polyphagous diet, known as a minor pest which feeds on groundnuts, rice, ragi, sorghum, Pennisetum americanum, coffee, sweet
potato, and lucerne crops.
Creatonotos gangis lives in South East Asia and parts of Australia.
Its Asian distribution includes eastern Indonesia, India, Iran, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and New Guinea.
In Australia, it is restricted to northern parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, extending as far south as Mackay.
Adult males secrete the pheromone hydroxydanaidal
in order to attract mates. The amount produced, and the size of the coremata which produce it, are however dependent on the diet that the moth experienced as a caterpillar.
If the larval diet contained pyrrolizidine alkaloids,
then the coremata become large and the male will release up to 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of Hydroxydanaidal, but if it does not, then the coremata do not grow large and no scent is produced.
The larvae of C. gangis can cause extensive damage to the foliage of pomegranate trees.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Creatonotos
Species: C. gangis
Binomial name Creatonotos gangis
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Adults have white hindwings and brown forewings, each with a dark streak, and a wingspan of 4 cm. The abdomen is red or, more rarely, yellow. Males have four large eversible coremata (scent organs), which can exceed the length of the abdomen when inflated.
The eggs are yellow and round, and are laid in rows on the leaves of food plants.
The caterpillars are brown hairy animals with a yellow stripe along the back, with a polyphagous diet, known as a minor pest which feeds on groundnuts, rice, ragi, sorghum, Pennisetum americanum, coffee, sweet
potato, and lucerne crops.
Creatonotos gangis lives in South East Asia and parts of Australia.
Its Asian distribution includes eastern Indonesia, India, Iran, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and New Guinea.
In Australia, it is restricted to northern parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland, extending as far south as Mackay.
Adult males secrete the pheromone hydroxydanaidal
in order to attract mates. The amount produced, and the size of the coremata which produce it, are however dependent on the diet that the moth experienced as a caterpillar.
If the larval diet contained pyrrolizidine alkaloids,
then the coremata become large and the male will release up to 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of Hydroxydanaidal, but if it does not, then the coremata do not grow large and no scent is produced.
The larvae of C. gangis can cause extensive damage to the foliage of pomegranate trees.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Creatonotos
Species: C. gangis
Binomial name Creatonotos gangis
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Lappet moth caterpillar
Lasiocampidae, Trabala sp
Lasiocampidae, Trabala sp
Lasiocampoidea is the superfamily of "lappet moths" (Lasiocampidae), containing one family of small to very large moths.
The Lasiocampidae are a family of moths also known as eggars, snout moths (although this also refers to the Pyralidae), or lappet moths. Over 2,000 species occur worldwide, and probably not all have been named or studied.
Caterpillars of this family are large and are most often hairy, especially on their sides. Most have skin flaps on their prolegs and a pair of dorsal glands on their abdomens. They feed on leaves of many different trees and shrubs, and often use these same plants to camouflage their cocoons. Some species are called tent caterpillars due to their habit of living together in nests spun of silk.
As adults, the moths in this family are large bodied with broad wings and may still have the characteristic elongated mouth parts, or have reduced mouthparts and not feed as adults. They are either diurnal or nocturnal.
Females lay a large number of eggs which are flat in appearance and either smooth or slightly pitted. In tent caterpillars, the eggs are deposited in masses and covered with a material that hardens in air. Females are generally larger and slower than the males, but the sexes otherwise resemble each other. Moths are typically brown or grey, with hairy legs and bodies.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Clade: Apoditrysia
Clade: Obtectomera
Clade: Macroheterocera
Superfamily: Lasiocampoidea
Family: Lasiocampidae
Harris, 1841
The Lasiocampidae are a family of moths also known as eggars, snout moths (although this also refers to the Pyralidae), or lappet moths. Over 2,000 species occur worldwide, and probably not all have been named or studied.
Caterpillars of this family are large and are most often hairy, especially on their sides. Most have skin flaps on their prolegs and a pair of dorsal glands on their abdomens. They feed on leaves of many different trees and shrubs, and often use these same plants to camouflage their cocoons. Some species are called tent caterpillars due to their habit of living together in nests spun of silk.
As adults, the moths in this family are large bodied with broad wings and may still have the characteristic elongated mouth parts, or have reduced mouthparts and not feed as adults. They are either diurnal or nocturnal.
Females lay a large number of eggs which are flat in appearance and either smooth or slightly pitted. In tent caterpillars, the eggs are deposited in masses and covered with a material that hardens in air. Females are generally larger and slower than the males, but the sexes otherwise resemble each other. Moths are typically brown or grey, with hairy legs and bodies.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Clade: Apoditrysia
Clade: Obtectomera
Clade: Macroheterocera
Superfamily: Lasiocampoidea
Family: Lasiocampidae
Harris, 1841
Catoria sublavaria
geometer moth
geometer moth
Catoria sublavaria is a moth of the family Geometridae described by Achille Guenée in 1857.
It is found in the asia tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Myanmar, towards New Guinea, to the Bismarck Islands and Taiwan.
Its wingspan is about 40–45 mm. Forewings with vein 10 and 11 stalked in male, sometimes connected with vein 12, but in female with vein 11 anastomosing (fusing) or coincident with vein 12.
Body greyish white. Frons and palpi black. Wings irrorated (sprinkled) with pale fuscous spots. Forewings with antemedial, both wings with medial, postmedial, submarginal and marginal specks series.
There are traces of a ring-spot at end of cell. Ventral side fuscous, with very large black cell-spots and white marginal patches at apex and middle of each wing.
Larva cylindrical, a shining black with a faint greenish tinge. It rests slightly curved on a leaf edge. Pupation is in a silken cell on the ground or between two leaves.
The larvae feed on Alseodaphne and Excoecaria species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Ennominae
Tribe: Boarmiini
Genus: Catoria
Species: C. sublavaria
Binomial name Catoria sublavaria
(Guenee, 1857)
It is found in the asia tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Myanmar, towards New Guinea, to the Bismarck Islands and Taiwan.
Its wingspan is about 40–45 mm. Forewings with vein 10 and 11 stalked in male, sometimes connected with vein 12, but in female with vein 11 anastomosing (fusing) or coincident with vein 12.
Body greyish white. Frons and palpi black. Wings irrorated (sprinkled) with pale fuscous spots. Forewings with antemedial, both wings with medial, postmedial, submarginal and marginal specks series.
There are traces of a ring-spot at end of cell. Ventral side fuscous, with very large black cell-spots and white marginal patches at apex and middle of each wing.
Larva cylindrical, a shining black with a faint greenish tinge. It rests slightly curved on a leaf edge. Pupation is in a silken cell on the ground or between two leaves.
The larvae feed on Alseodaphne and Excoecaria species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Ennominae
Tribe: Boarmiini
Genus: Catoria
Species: C. sublavaria
Binomial name Catoria sublavaria
(Guenee, 1857)
Junonia atlites
grey pansy
grey pansy
Junonia atlites, the grey pansy is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in South Asia.
J. atlites is found in India, southern China, Cambodia, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, western and central Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Upperside of both sexes pale lavender brown, apical half of wings paler.
Forewing: cell with, three transverse, short, sinuous black bands, the outermost defining the discocellulars; a similar short, somewhat broader band beyond the apex of the cell; two transverse discal dusky black fasciae, the inner highly sinuous and outward, angulate above vein 4, the outer straighter, somewhat lunular, bordered by a series of whitish ovals with dusky or black centers.
The black-centered spots in the ovals in interspaces 2, 5, and 6 margined posteriorly with rich ocherous yellow. Beyond this series of ovals is a lunular, narrow, transverse dark band, followed by sinuous subterminal and terminal broad dark lines.
Apex of wing slightly fuliginous. Hindwing: a short slender black loop from veins 6 to 4 at apex of cell-area; two discal sinuous transverse dark, fasciae in continuation of those on the forewing: followed by a series of dark-centered ovals in interspaces 2–6, the ovals in interspaces 2, 5, and 6 with the dark centers inwardly broadly bordered with ochreous yellow; postdiscal, subterminal and terminal dark lunular lines as on the fore wing.
Underside lilacine white markings as on the upperside but very delicate, slender and somewhat obsolescent. In the dry-season forms of the males the rows of oval ocelli are only indicated by the yellow-centered ovals.
The most prominent marking is the inner discal fascia crossing the wings; this is much less sinuous than on the upperside and not angulated on the forewing.
In the females the markings are all heavier and more distinct, the space between the various transverse fasciae tinged with ocherous.
The larvae of J. atlites feed on Oryza, Pseuderanthemum, Strobilanthes, Asteracantha longifolia, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Barleria, Hygrophila lancea, and Hygrophila salicifolia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Junonia
Species: J. atlites
Binomial name Junonia atlites
(Linnaeus, 1763)
J. atlites is found in India, southern China, Cambodia, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula, western and central Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Upperside of both sexes pale lavender brown, apical half of wings paler.
Forewing: cell with, three transverse, short, sinuous black bands, the outermost defining the discocellulars; a similar short, somewhat broader band beyond the apex of the cell; two transverse discal dusky black fasciae, the inner highly sinuous and outward, angulate above vein 4, the outer straighter, somewhat lunular, bordered by a series of whitish ovals with dusky or black centers.
The black-centered spots in the ovals in interspaces 2, 5, and 6 margined posteriorly with rich ocherous yellow. Beyond this series of ovals is a lunular, narrow, transverse dark band, followed by sinuous subterminal and terminal broad dark lines.
Apex of wing slightly fuliginous. Hindwing: a short slender black loop from veins 6 to 4 at apex of cell-area; two discal sinuous transverse dark, fasciae in continuation of those on the forewing: followed by a series of dark-centered ovals in interspaces 2–6, the ovals in interspaces 2, 5, and 6 with the dark centers inwardly broadly bordered with ochreous yellow; postdiscal, subterminal and terminal dark lunular lines as on the fore wing.
Underside lilacine white markings as on the upperside but very delicate, slender and somewhat obsolescent. In the dry-season forms of the males the rows of oval ocelli are only indicated by the yellow-centered ovals.
The most prominent marking is the inner discal fascia crossing the wings; this is much less sinuous than on the upperside and not angulated on the forewing.
In the females the markings are all heavier and more distinct, the space between the various transverse fasciae tinged with ocherous.
The larvae of J. atlites feed on Oryza, Pseuderanthemum, Strobilanthes, Asteracantha longifolia, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Barleria, Hygrophila lancea, and Hygrophila salicifolia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Junonia
Species: J. atlites
Binomial name Junonia atlites
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Amplypterus panopus
mango hawkmoth
mango hawkmoth
The Sphingidae are a family of moths (Lepidoptera) called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as “hornworms”; it includes about 1,450 species. It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region.
They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Some hawk moths, such as the hummingbird hawk-moth or the white-lined sphinx, hover in midair while they feed on nectar from flowers, so are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds.
In studies with Manduca sexta, moths have dynamic flight sensory abilities due to their antennae.
The antennae are vibrated in a plane so that when the body of the moth rotates during controlled aerial maneuvers, the antennae are subject to the inertial Coriolis forces that are linearly proportional to the angular velocity of the body. The Coriolis forces cause deflections of the antennae, which are detected by the Johnston's organ at the base of each antenna, with strong frequency responses at the beat frequency of the antennae (around 25 Hz) and at twice the beat frequency. The relative magnitude of the two frequency responses enables the moth to distinguish rotation around the different principal axes, allowing for rapid course control during aerial maneuvers.
Amplypterus is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Amplypterus panopus, the mango hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1779. It is found in Sri Lanka, southern and northern India (including the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands), Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia (to Sulawesi), Singapore and the Philippines.
Adults are on wing in March, April, June, August and December in Hong Kong.
The wingspan is 130–168 mm. Larvae have been recorded on Dracontomelum, Mangifera indica, Rhus, Durio, Calophyllum and Garcinia.
Superficially similar to species of the Adhemarius dariensis species-group but Amplypterus panopus panopus is distinctive in the broad, sharply delineated, parallel-sided, ash-pink band across the forewing and similarly coloured broad markings on the anterior half of the abdomen.
These bands contrast with the dark chocolate-brown colour of the thorax, forewing bases and distal half of the abdomen. When resting, the wings are spread widely in a plane below the horizontal, the forewings not quite covering the hindwings, the latter just covering the sides of the abdomen.
In this position the moth is a wonderful example of protective colouring. These bands divide the moth into three stripes, two dark bands separated by a pale band. Apex broadly of hindwing rounded (pointed in Amplypterus mansoni).
Unlike Adhemarius dariensis and its relatives, the forewing upperside of Amplypterus panopus panopus lacks the subbasal spot and the tornal patch is developed into a poorly defined eyespot; tornal eyespot better developed than in Amplypterus mansoni and the submarginal area above it with a stronger, more contrasted pattern.
Outer third of hindwing upperside has a diagnostic pattern of black veins crossing an olive-green submarginal and blue-grey marginal band.
In the male genitalia, uncus with a spatulate median process. Gnathos produced into a median plate, slightly longer than broad.
Valve very large, apex rounded; stridulatory scales present. Harpe a small basal ridge standing nearly at right-angles to ventral edge of valve. Aedeagus with a small tooth; apex with two lingulate flaps bearing setose triangular projections. In the female genitalia, sterigma membranous except for the strongly rounded distal edge.
The moth is sluggish during the daytime and allows itself to be handled, but at night it flies strongly.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Amplypterus
Species: A. panopus
Binomial name Amplypterus panopus (Cramer, [1779])
They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them.
Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Some hawk moths, such as the hummingbird hawk-moth or the white-lined sphinx, hover in midair while they feed on nectar from flowers, so are sometimes mistaken for hummingbirds.
In studies with Manduca sexta, moths have dynamic flight sensory abilities due to their antennae.
The antennae are vibrated in a plane so that when the body of the moth rotates during controlled aerial maneuvers, the antennae are subject to the inertial Coriolis forces that are linearly proportional to the angular velocity of the body. The Coriolis forces cause deflections of the antennae, which are detected by the Johnston's organ at the base of each antenna, with strong frequency responses at the beat frequency of the antennae (around 25 Hz) and at twice the beat frequency. The relative magnitude of the two frequency responses enables the moth to distinguish rotation around the different principal axes, allowing for rapid course control during aerial maneuvers.
Amplypterus is a genus of moths in the family Sphingidae. The genus was erected by Jacob Hübner in 1819.
Amplypterus panopus, the mango hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1779. It is found in Sri Lanka, southern and northern India (including the Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands), Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia (to Sulawesi), Singapore and the Philippines.
Adults are on wing in March, April, June, August and December in Hong Kong.
The wingspan is 130–168 mm. Larvae have been recorded on Dracontomelum, Mangifera indica, Rhus, Durio, Calophyllum and Garcinia.
Superficially similar to species of the Adhemarius dariensis species-group but Amplypterus panopus panopus is distinctive in the broad, sharply delineated, parallel-sided, ash-pink band across the forewing and similarly coloured broad markings on the anterior half of the abdomen.
These bands contrast with the dark chocolate-brown colour of the thorax, forewing bases and distal half of the abdomen. When resting, the wings are spread widely in a plane below the horizontal, the forewings not quite covering the hindwings, the latter just covering the sides of the abdomen.
In this position the moth is a wonderful example of protective colouring. These bands divide the moth into three stripes, two dark bands separated by a pale band. Apex broadly of hindwing rounded (pointed in Amplypterus mansoni).
Unlike Adhemarius dariensis and its relatives, the forewing upperside of Amplypterus panopus panopus lacks the subbasal spot and the tornal patch is developed into a poorly defined eyespot; tornal eyespot better developed than in Amplypterus mansoni and the submarginal area above it with a stronger, more contrasted pattern.
Outer third of hindwing upperside has a diagnostic pattern of black veins crossing an olive-green submarginal and blue-grey marginal band.
In the male genitalia, uncus with a spatulate median process. Gnathos produced into a median plate, slightly longer than broad.
Valve very large, apex rounded; stridulatory scales present. Harpe a small basal ridge standing nearly at right-angles to ventral edge of valve. Aedeagus with a small tooth; apex with two lingulate flaps bearing setose triangular projections. In the female genitalia, sterigma membranous except for the strongly rounded distal edge.
The moth is sluggish during the daytime and allows itself to be handled, but at night it flies strongly.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Amplypterus
Species: A. panopus
Binomial name Amplypterus panopus (Cramer, [1779])
Glyphodes actorionalis
grass moth
三斑絹野螟蛾
grass moth
三斑絹野螟蛾
Glyphodes actorionalis is a species of Lepidoptera in the family crambid snout moths. They are nocturnal.
Glyphodes actorionalis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1859.
The Crambidae are the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae (grass moths) taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in wing-spread attitudes.
In many classifications, the Crambidae have been treated as a subfamily of the Pyralidae or snout-moths. The principal difference is a structure in the tympanal organs called the praecinctorium, which joins two tympanic membranes in the Crambidae, and is absent from the Pyralidae. The latest review by Munroe and Solis, in Kristensen (1999), retains the Crambidae as a full family. The family currently comprises 15 subfamilies with altogether 10,347 species in over 1,000 genera.
The adult moth G. actorionalisis is dark brown with one large and sometimes several small translucent white patches on each forewing. The hindwings are also a translucent white, with a broad brown border. The wingspan is about 3 cms.
The species is found across south-east Asia, including
India, Japan and Zambia as well as Australia in Queensland.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Glyphodes
Species: G. actorionalis
Binomial name Glyphodes actorionalis
Walker, 1859
Glyphodes actorionalis is a moth in the family Crambidae. It was described by Francis Walker in 1859.
The Crambidae are the grass moth family of lepidopterans. They are variable in appearance, the nominal subfamily Crambinae (grass moths) taking up closely folded postures on grass stems where they are inconspicuous, while other subfamilies include brightly coloured and patterned insects which rest in wing-spread attitudes.
In many classifications, the Crambidae have been treated as a subfamily of the Pyralidae or snout-moths. The principal difference is a structure in the tympanal organs called the praecinctorium, which joins two tympanic membranes in the Crambidae, and is absent from the Pyralidae. The latest review by Munroe and Solis, in Kristensen (1999), retains the Crambidae as a full family. The family currently comprises 15 subfamilies with altogether 10,347 species in over 1,000 genera.
The adult moth G. actorionalisis is dark brown with one large and sometimes several small translucent white patches on each forewing. The hindwings are also a translucent white, with a broad brown border. The wingspan is about 3 cms.
The species is found across south-east Asia, including
India, Japan and Zambia as well as Australia in Queensland.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Crambidae
Genus: Glyphodes
Species: G. actorionalis
Binomial name Glyphodes actorionalis
Walker, 1859
Saptha beryllitis
metalmark moth
metalmark moth
Saptha beryllitis is a moth in the family Choreutidae it was described by Edward Meyrick in 1910. It is found in Japan, Taiwan, India's Nicobar Islands and Singapore.
Choreutidae, or metalmark moths, are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order whose relationships
have been long disputed. It was placed previously in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea in family
Glyphipterigidae and in superfamily Sesioidea.
It is now considered to represent its own superfamily (Minet, 1986). The relationship of the family to the other lineages in the group "Apoditrysia" need a new
assessment, especially with new molecular data.
The moths occur worldwide, with 19 genera in three subfamilies defined by the structural characteristics of the immature stages (larvae and pupae), rather than the characters of the adults (Heppner and Duckworth, 1981; Rota, 2005).
These small moths often bear metallic scales and are mostly day-flying (some also come to lights), with a jerky, pivoting behaviour, and may fluff up their wings at an extreme angle.
Some tropical exemplars such as the genus Saptha are quite spectacular, with bright green metallic bands . The members of the genus Brenthia, usually placed in their own subfamily Brenthiinae, have eyespots on the wings and have been shown to mimic jumping spiders (Rota and Wagner, 2006).
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Choreutidae
Genus: Saptha
Species: S. beryllitis
Binomial name Saptha beryllitis
(Meyrick, 1910)
Choreutidae, or metalmark moths, are a family of insects in the lepidopteran order whose relationships
have been long disputed. It was placed previously in the superfamily Yponomeutoidea in family
Glyphipterigidae and in superfamily Sesioidea.
It is now considered to represent its own superfamily (Minet, 1986). The relationship of the family to the other lineages in the group "Apoditrysia" need a new
assessment, especially with new molecular data.
The moths occur worldwide, with 19 genera in three subfamilies defined by the structural characteristics of the immature stages (larvae and pupae), rather than the characters of the adults (Heppner and Duckworth, 1981; Rota, 2005).
These small moths often bear metallic scales and are mostly day-flying (some also come to lights), with a jerky, pivoting behaviour, and may fluff up their wings at an extreme angle.
Some tropical exemplars such as the genus Saptha are quite spectacular, with bright green metallic bands . The members of the genus Brenthia, usually placed in their own subfamily Brenthiinae, have eyespots on the wings and have been shown to mimic jumping spiders (Rota and Wagner, 2006).
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Choreutidae
Genus: Saptha
Species: S. beryllitis
Binomial name Saptha beryllitis
(Meyrick, 1910)
Spodoptera litura
tobacco cutworm larva
tobacco cutworm larva
Spodoptera litura, otherwise known as the tobacco cutworm or cotton leafworm, is a nocturnal moth in the family Noctuidae.
S. litura is a serious polyphagous pest in Asia, Oceania, and the Indian subcontinent that was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
Its common names reference two of the most frequent host plants of the moth. In total, 87 species of host plants that are infested by S. litura are of economic importance. The species parasitize the plants through the larvae vigorous eating patterns, oftentimes leaving the leaves completely destroyed.
The moth's effects are quite disastrous, destroying economically important agricultural crops and decreasing yield in some plants completely. Their potential impact on the many different cultivated crops, and subsequently the local agricultural economy, has led to serious efforts to control the pests.
S. litura is often confused with its close relative, Spodoptera littoralis. These two species are hard to discriminate between because the larvae and adult forms are identical. Inspecting the genitalia is the most certain way to tell the two species apart.
Larvae body length ranges from 2.3 to 32 mm. The larva is variable in color based on age. Younger larvae tend to be a lighter green while older ones develop to a dark green or brown color. A bright yellow stripe along the dorsal surface is a characteristic feature of the larvae.
The larvae also have no hair. Newly hatched larvae can be found by looking for scratch marks on leaf surfaces. Since S. litura is nocturnal, the larvae feed at night. During the day, they can usually be found in the soil around the plant. There are six instar stages, and by the last stage, the final instar can weigh up to 800 mg.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Spodoptera
Species: S. litura
Binomial name Spodoptera litura
(Fabricius, 1775)
S. litura is a serious polyphagous pest in Asia, Oceania, and the Indian subcontinent that was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
Its common names reference two of the most frequent host plants of the moth. In total, 87 species of host plants that are infested by S. litura are of economic importance. The species parasitize the plants through the larvae vigorous eating patterns, oftentimes leaving the leaves completely destroyed.
The moth's effects are quite disastrous, destroying economically important agricultural crops and decreasing yield in some plants completely. Their potential impact on the many different cultivated crops, and subsequently the local agricultural economy, has led to serious efforts to control the pests.
S. litura is often confused with its close relative, Spodoptera littoralis. These two species are hard to discriminate between because the larvae and adult forms are identical. Inspecting the genitalia is the most certain way to tell the two species apart.
Larvae body length ranges from 2.3 to 32 mm. The larva is variable in color based on age. Younger larvae tend to be a lighter green while older ones develop to a dark green or brown color. A bright yellow stripe along the dorsal surface is a characteristic feature of the larvae.
The larvae also have no hair. Newly hatched larvae can be found by looking for scratch marks on leaf surfaces. Since S. litura is nocturnal, the larvae feed at night. During the day, they can usually be found in the soil around the plant. There are six instar stages, and by the last stage, the final instar can weigh up to 800 mg.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Spodoptera
Species: S. litura
Binomial name Spodoptera litura
(Fabricius, 1775)
Derambila lumenaria
geometer moth
geometer moth
The geometer moths are moths belonging to the family Geometridae of the insect order Lepidoptera, the moths and butterflies.
Their scientific name derives from the Ancient Greek geo γεω (derivative form of γῆ or γαῖα "the earth"), and metron μέτρον "measure" in reference to the way their larvae, or "inchworms", appear to "measure the earth" as they move along in a looping fashion.
A very large family, it has around 23,000 species of moths described, and over 1400 species from six subfamilies indigenous to North America alone. A well-known member is the peppered moth, Biston betularia, which has been subject of numerous studies in population genetics. Several other geometer moths are notorious pests.
Many geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such, they appear rather butterfly-like, but in most respects they are typical moths; the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings, and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend into the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings.
In some species, females have reduced wings (e.g. winter moth and fall cankerworm). Most are of moderate size, about 3 cm (1.2 in) in wingspan, but a range of sizes occur from 10–50 mm (0.39–1.97 in), and a few (e.g., Dysphania species) reach an even larger size.
Derambila is a genus of moths in the family
Geometridae first described by Francis Walker in 1863.
Its palpi are porrect (extending forward) and hairy. Antennae long and slender, minutely serrate in male, which is ciliated in female. Legs very long and slender. Fore tibia short and hind tibia with fold and tuft, and without spurs in female. Forewings with vein 3 from long before angle of cell. Veins 7 to 9 stalked from before upper angle and vein 10 absent. Vein 11 becoming coincident with vein 12. Hindwings with vein 3 from before angle of cell. Vein 5 from middle of discocellulars and vein 6 and 7 stalked.
Derambila lumenaria is a moth of the family Geometridae described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is found in Sri Lanka, India and Sundaland and is also found in Singapore. Prominent black dots are found along the wing margins.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Desmobathrinae
Genus: Derambila
Walker, [1863]
Species: D. lumenaria
Binomial name Derambila lumenaria
(Geyer, 1837)
Their scientific name derives from the Ancient Greek geo γεω (derivative form of γῆ or γαῖα "the earth"), and metron μέτρον "measure" in reference to the way their larvae, or "inchworms", appear to "measure the earth" as they move along in a looping fashion.
A very large family, it has around 23,000 species of moths described, and over 1400 species from six subfamilies indigenous to North America alone. A well-known member is the peppered moth, Biston betularia, which has been subject of numerous studies in population genetics. Several other geometer moths are notorious pests.
Many geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such, they appear rather butterfly-like, but in most respects they are typical moths; the majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings, and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend into the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings.
In some species, females have reduced wings (e.g. winter moth and fall cankerworm). Most are of moderate size, about 3 cm (1.2 in) in wingspan, but a range of sizes occur from 10–50 mm (0.39–1.97 in), and a few (e.g., Dysphania species) reach an even larger size.
Derambila is a genus of moths in the family
Geometridae first described by Francis Walker in 1863.
Its palpi are porrect (extending forward) and hairy. Antennae long and slender, minutely serrate in male, which is ciliated in female. Legs very long and slender. Fore tibia short and hind tibia with fold and tuft, and without spurs in female. Forewings with vein 3 from long before angle of cell. Veins 7 to 9 stalked from before upper angle and vein 10 absent. Vein 11 becoming coincident with vein 12. Hindwings with vein 3 from before angle of cell. Vein 5 from middle of discocellulars and vein 6 and 7 stalked.
Derambila lumenaria is a moth of the family Geometridae described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is found in Sri Lanka, India and Sundaland and is also found in Singapore. Prominent black dots are found along the wing margins.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Geometridae
Subfamily: Desmobathrinae
Genus: Derambila
Walker, [1863]
Species: D. lumenaria
Binomial name Derambila lumenaria
(Geyer, 1837)
Bertula abjudicalis
owlet moths
owlet moths
Bertula abjudicalis is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Francis Walker in 1859. It is foud in India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Taiwan , Singapore
and from Sri Lanka to Australia, where it has been recorded from New South Wales.
The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths.
They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of the Noctuoidea.
It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now.
Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species. This classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.
Most noctuid adults have drab wings, but some subfamilies, such as Acronictinae and Agaristinae, are very colorful, especially those from tropical regions (e.g. Baorisa hieroglyphica).
They are characterized by a structure in the
metathorax called the nodular sclerite or epaulette, which separates the tympanum and the conjunctiva in the tympanal organ.
It functions to keep parasites (Acari) out of the tympanal cavity. Another characteristic in this group is trifine hindwing venation, by reduction or absence of the second medial vein (M2). Markings present on the wings of noctuid adults can be helpful in distinguishing species.
B. abjudicalis, its wingspan is about 26 mm. Males with recurved palpi over vertex of head and thorax. Second joint fringed with hair in front and with tufts of very long hair from the inner side. The third joint with tufts of long hair. Fore tibia without a sheath.
Forewings with a costal fold acting as a retinaculum, which is narrow. Head and thorax dark red brown. Abdomen fuscous with a pale line on basal segment. Forewings with reddish-brown basal area. An oblique antemedial ochreous line and a white lunule at end of cell present.
There is a postmedial line sinuous from the costa to vein 4, where it is angled and bent inwards to below the end of cell. The area between the lines is brownish ochreous with traces of a medial line. An indistinct sinuous submarginal line can be seen.
Hindwings dark fuscous with indistinct pale waved medial and submarginal lines. Ventral side with pale basal area. There is a cell-spot and the lines are more distinct. Some specimens have a much darker area between antemedial and postmedial lines of forewings.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Bertula
Species: B. abjudicalis
Binomial name Bertula abjudicalis
(Walker, 1859)
and from Sri Lanka to Australia, where it has been recorded from New South Wales.
The Noctuidae, commonly known as owlet moths, cutworms or armyworms, are a family of moths.
They are considered the most controversial family in the superfamily Noctuoidea because many of the clades are constantly changing, along with the other families of the Noctuoidea.
It was considered the largest family in Lepidoptera for a long time, but after regrouping Lymantriinae, Catocalinae and Calpinae within the family Erebidae, the latter holds this title now.
Currently, Noctuidae is the second largest family in Noctuoidea, with about 1,089 genera and 11,772 species. This classification is still contingent, as more changes continue to appear between Noctuidae and Erebidae.
Most noctuid adults have drab wings, but some subfamilies, such as Acronictinae and Agaristinae, are very colorful, especially those from tropical regions (e.g. Baorisa hieroglyphica).
They are characterized by a structure in the
metathorax called the nodular sclerite or epaulette, which separates the tympanum and the conjunctiva in the tympanal organ.
It functions to keep parasites (Acari) out of the tympanal cavity. Another characteristic in this group is trifine hindwing venation, by reduction or absence of the second medial vein (M2). Markings present on the wings of noctuid adults can be helpful in distinguishing species.
B. abjudicalis, its wingspan is about 26 mm. Males with recurved palpi over vertex of head and thorax. Second joint fringed with hair in front and with tufts of very long hair from the inner side. The third joint with tufts of long hair. Fore tibia without a sheath.
Forewings with a costal fold acting as a retinaculum, which is narrow. Head and thorax dark red brown. Abdomen fuscous with a pale line on basal segment. Forewings with reddish-brown basal area. An oblique antemedial ochreous line and a white lunule at end of cell present.
There is a postmedial line sinuous from the costa to vein 4, where it is angled and bent inwards to below the end of cell. The area between the lines is brownish ochreous with traces of a medial line. An indistinct sinuous submarginal line can be seen.
Hindwings dark fuscous with indistinct pale waved medial and submarginal lines. Ventral side with pale basal area. There is a cell-spot and the lines are more distinct. Some specimens have a much darker area between antemedial and postmedial lines of forewings.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Bertula
Species: B. abjudicalis
Binomial name Bertula abjudicalis
(Walker, 1859)
Papilio polytes
common Mormon
common Mormon
Female
Papilio polytes, the common Mormon, is a common species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia.
This butterfly is known for the mimicry displayed by the numerous forms of its females which mimic inedible red-bodied swallowtails, such as the common rose and the crimson rose.
The common Mormon prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in orchards of its food plants—oranges and limes. It is most common in the monsoon and post-monsoon months.
The male has one morph only. It is a dark-coloured swallow-tailed butterfly. The upper forewing has a series of white spots decreasing in size towards the apex.
The upper hindwing has a complete discal band of elongated white spots. It may or may not have marginal red crescents. The males are generally smaller in size than the females but not always.
Both male and all forms of the female of P. polytes can vary considerably in size depending on climatic region.
The female of the common Mormon is polymorphic. In the Indian Subcontinent, it has several forms or morphs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. polytes
Binomial name Papilio polytes
Linnaeus, 1758
This butterfly is known for the mimicry displayed by the numerous forms of its females which mimic inedible red-bodied swallowtails, such as the common rose and the crimson rose.
The common Mormon prefers lightly wooded country, but is present everywhere and high up into the hills. It is a regular visitor to gardens, being especially abundant in orchards of its food plants—oranges and limes. It is most common in the monsoon and post-monsoon months.
The male has one morph only. It is a dark-coloured swallow-tailed butterfly. The upper forewing has a series of white spots decreasing in size towards the apex.
The upper hindwing has a complete discal band of elongated white spots. It may or may not have marginal red crescents. The males are generally smaller in size than the females but not always.
Both male and all forms of the female of P. polytes can vary considerably in size depending on climatic region.
The female of the common Mormon is polymorphic. In the Indian Subcontinent, it has several forms or morphs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. polytes
Binomial name Papilio polytes
Linnaeus, 1758
Papilio polytes , common Mormon larva
Male
Orgyia postica
cocoa tussock moth larvae
cocoa tussock moth larvae
Larvae of Orgyia postica, the cocoa tussock moth or hevea tussock moth, is a species of moth of the subfamily Lymantriinae of family Erebidae found from the Oriental tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Borneo, Java, New Guinea, Singapore and Taiwan. It was described by Francis Walker in 1855.
The wingspan of Orgyia postica is 20–30 mm for males. In the male, the head, thorax, and abdomen are brownish. Forewings are brown with an indistinct oblique sub-basal line. Waved antemedial and postmedial lines approach each other at the lower angle of the cell. The area between them is slightly tinged with bluish grey and with a waved dark line edged with white on each side of the discocellulars. Two indistinct waved submarginal lines are present. The apex is slightly tinged with grey and with some subapical dark streaks. Hindwings are dark brown. The female is wingless.
Orgyia postica larvae are yellowish, clothed sparsely with brown hair. One dorsal and two lateral brown bands are seen. Paired tufts of hair are on the first and eleventh somites projecting forward and backward. Lateral tufts of grey hair project from the fourth and fifth somites. Dorsal tufts of yellow hair are on the fourth to seventh somites. The head is red. the pupa is stout; in males, it is glossy black, with numerous short, small tufts of hairs. Spatulate setae changes to turquoise colour under utra violet light. Eggs are pillbox shaped, and pale whitish brown with a darker ring encircling a depressed top.
Adult males are on wing year round. The name Orgyia is because the larvae have been recorded on a wide range of species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family:Erebidae
Genus: Orgyia
Species: O. postica
Binomial name Orgyia postica
(Walker, 1855)
The wingspan of Orgyia postica is 20–30 mm for males. In the male, the head, thorax, and abdomen are brownish. Forewings are brown with an indistinct oblique sub-basal line. Waved antemedial and postmedial lines approach each other at the lower angle of the cell. The area between them is slightly tinged with bluish grey and with a waved dark line edged with white on each side of the discocellulars. Two indistinct waved submarginal lines are present. The apex is slightly tinged with grey and with some subapical dark streaks. Hindwings are dark brown. The female is wingless.
Orgyia postica larvae are yellowish, clothed sparsely with brown hair. One dorsal and two lateral brown bands are seen. Paired tufts of hair are on the first and eleventh somites projecting forward and backward. Lateral tufts of grey hair project from the fourth and fifth somites. Dorsal tufts of yellow hair are on the fourth to seventh somites. The head is red. the pupa is stout; in males, it is glossy black, with numerous short, small tufts of hairs. Spatulate setae changes to turquoise colour under utra violet light. Eggs are pillbox shaped, and pale whitish brown with a darker ring encircling a depressed top.
Adult males are on wing year round. The name Orgyia is because the larvae have been recorded on a wide range of species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family:Erebidae
Genus: Orgyia
Species: O. postica
Binomial name Orgyia postica
(Walker, 1855)
Sympis rufibasis
Moths are a paraphyletic group of insects that includes all members of the order Lepidoptera that are not butterflies, with moths making up the vast majority of the order. There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth, many of which have yet to be described. Most species of moth are nocturnal, but there are also crepuscular and diurnal species.
Although the rules for distinguishing moths from butterflies are not well established, one very good
guiding principle is that butterflies have thin antennae and (with the exception of the family Hedylidae) have small balls or clubs at the end of their antennae.
Moth antennae are usually feathery with no ball on the end. The divisions are named by this principle: "club-antennae" (Rhopalocera) or "varied-antennae" (Heterocera).
Lepidoptera differs between butterflies and other organisms due to evolving a special characteristic of having the tube-like proboscis in the Middle Triassic which allowed them to acquire nectar from flowering plants.
Moth larvae, or caterpillars, make cocoons from which they emerge as fully grown moths with wings. Some moth caterpillars dig holes in the ground, where they live until they are ready to turn into adult moths.
Sympis rufibasis is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found from the Indo-Australian tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Borneo east to New Guinea, the Solomons, singapore
and Queensland.
Its wingspan is 48 to 50 mm. The male has an orange-red head and thorax. Abdomen reddish brown, forewings with orange-red basal area, bounded by an oblique blue line.
The outer area reddish brown with a large scarlet lunule beyond the cell and a white speck on the costa above it. An indistinct, irregularly dentate, sub-marginal line and a marginal specks series present. Hindwings fuscous with incomplete medial white band and waved marginal line. Ventral side almost entirely grey suffused. A crenulate postmedial line present. Female lack scarlet lunule on forewings.
Larva darkish, olive green brown with a distinct pale yellow stripe which runs along each side and extends from the head to the anal prolegs. The larvae feed on Dimocarpus, Litchi and Nephelium species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Sympis
Species: S. rufibasis
Binomial name Sympis rufibasis
Guenée, 1852
Although the rules for distinguishing moths from butterflies are not well established, one very good
guiding principle is that butterflies have thin antennae and (with the exception of the family Hedylidae) have small balls or clubs at the end of their antennae.
Moth antennae are usually feathery with no ball on the end. The divisions are named by this principle: "club-antennae" (Rhopalocera) or "varied-antennae" (Heterocera).
Lepidoptera differs between butterflies and other organisms due to evolving a special characteristic of having the tube-like proboscis in the Middle Triassic which allowed them to acquire nectar from flowering plants.
Moth larvae, or caterpillars, make cocoons from which they emerge as fully grown moths with wings. Some moth caterpillars dig holes in the ground, where they live until they are ready to turn into adult moths.
Sympis rufibasis is a moth of the family Noctuidae first described by Achille Guenée in 1852. It is found from the Indo-Australian tropics of India, Sri Lanka, Borneo east to New Guinea, the Solomons, singapore
and Queensland.
Its wingspan is 48 to 50 mm. The male has an orange-red head and thorax. Abdomen reddish brown, forewings with orange-red basal area, bounded by an oblique blue line.
The outer area reddish brown with a large scarlet lunule beyond the cell and a white speck on the costa above it. An indistinct, irregularly dentate, sub-marginal line and a marginal specks series present. Hindwings fuscous with incomplete medial white band and waved marginal line. Ventral side almost entirely grey suffused. A crenulate postmedial line present. Female lack scarlet lunule on forewings.
Larva darkish, olive green brown with a distinct pale yellow stripe which runs along each side and extends from the head to the anal prolegs. The larvae feed on Dimocarpus, Litchi and Nephelium species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Sympis
Species: S. rufibasis
Binomial name Sympis rufibasis
Guenée, 1852
Asota heliconia
Asota is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. Species are widely distributed throughout Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, the Malayan region and tropical parts of the Australian region.
Asota heliconia is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found from the Indo-Australian tropics east to Queensland and the Solomons. It is also found in Singapore.
The wingspan is 52 mm. Larvae have been recorded on Averrhoa species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Asota
Species: A. heliconia
Binomial name Asota heliconia
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Asota heliconia is a moth in the family Erebidae. It is found from the Indo-Australian tropics east to Queensland and the Solomons. It is also found in Singapore.
The wingspan is 52 mm. Larvae have been recorded on Averrhoa species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Asota
Species: A. heliconia
Binomial name Asota heliconia
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Nolid Moth Caterpillar
(Chloephorinae, Nolidae)
(Chloephorinae, Nolidae)
Nolid Moth Caterpillar (Chloephorinae, Nolidae)
Chloephorinae is a subfamily of the moth family Nolidae. It includes, among others, many of the moths known as silver-lines. They are rather similar to some owlet moths (Noctuidae) in appearance and often colored a vivid green, but may also be brown, grey, or white.
Nolidae is a family of moths with about 1,700 described species worldwide. They are mostly small with dull coloration, the main distinguishing feature being a silk cocoon with a vertical exit slit. The group is sometimes known as tuft moths, after the tufts of raised scales on the forewings of two subfamilies, Nolinae and Collomeninae. The larvae also tend to have muted colors and tufts of short hairs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Nolidae
Bruand, 1847
Subfamily: Chloephorinae
Chloephorinae is a subfamily of the moth family Nolidae. It includes, among others, many of the moths known as silver-lines. They are rather similar to some owlet moths (Noctuidae) in appearance and often colored a vivid green, but may also be brown, grey, or white.
Nolidae is a family of moths with about 1,700 described species worldwide. They are mostly small with dull coloration, the main distinguishing feature being a silk cocoon with a vertical exit slit. The group is sometimes known as tuft moths, after the tufts of raised scales on the forewings of two subfamilies, Nolinae and Collomeninae. The larvae also tend to have muted colors and tufts of short hairs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Nolidae
Bruand, 1847
Subfamily: Chloephorinae
Above Colour changes under UV effect
Larvae of Hypolimnas bolina
Larvae of Hypolimnas bolina
Great Eggfly Caterpillar, Hypolimnas bolina
The common name for this species, Eggfly, is a reference to the white oval patch on the forewing of the male butterflies of this species.
The Caterpillar is cylindrical and black, with orange tubercles all over the body, and a pair of tubercles on its head which can be either black or orange.
Hypolimnas bolina, the great eggfly, common eggfly or in New Zealand the blue moon butterfly is a species of nymphalid butterfly found from Madagascar to Asia and Australia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species: H. bolina
Binomial name Hypolimnas bolina
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Great Eggfly Caterpillar, Hypolimnas bolina
The common name for this species, Eggfly, is a reference to the white oval patch on the forewing of the male butterflies of this species.
The Caterpillar is cylindrical and black, with orange tubercles all over the body, and a pair of tubercles on its head which can be either black or orange.
Hypolimnas bolina, the great eggfly, common eggfly or in New Zealand the blue moon butterfly is a species of nymphalid butterfly found from Madagascar to Asia and Australia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species: H. bolina
Binomial name Hypolimnas bolina
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Lymantria dispar asiatica
Asian spongy moth
Asian spongy moth
An invasive species now has a new name to replace ethnic slur..
By Kristen Rogers, CNN
Updated 3:19 PM EST, Fri March 04, 2022
(CNN)The scientists who have been working on changing an invasive moth's common name, which included an ethnic slur, have made their decision.
Previously known as "gypsy moth," the species Lymantria dispar is now "spongy moth," according to the Entomological Society of America, which makes the Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List, an essential database for anyone working with insects.
For the Romani people -- an ethnic group originating in northern India that was at one time misidentified as Egyptian -- the word "gypsy" has been offensive, dangerous and dehumanizing since it first appeared in the 1500s, Margareta Matache, director of the Roma Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, told CNN in July 2021.
"This process to rename the G moth can serve as a truly effective practice on how to create better common names and ensure substantive and just participation of the affected communities in the process,"
Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, the spongy moth is an invasive pest in North American forests, destroying the leaves of hundreds of tree and shrub species and costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and management efforts annually, according to the Entomological Society of America. This moth spends most of its 10-month life in the egg stage, which is when it travels on firewood, outdoor equipment and vehicles en masse.
"Public awareness is critical in slowing its spread," said the society's president, Jessica Ware, in a news release. "'Spongy moth' gives entomologists and foresters a name for this species that reinforces an important feature of the moth's biology and moves away from the outdated term that was previously used."
"We are grateful to the diverse community of people and organizations who have been involved in this renaming process and have committed to adopting 'spongy moth' as well," Ware added.
The moth's new name was chosen from more than 200 nominations evaluated by a group of more than 50 scientists convened by the society. The group sought insight from many experts and organizations and collected more than 1,000 responses about seven finalist names. "Spongy moth" refers to its sponge-like egg masses and comes from the common name "spongieuse," used for the insect in France and French-speaking Canada, according to the news release.
In addition to the new name now being listed on the Common Names List, "spongy moth" will be used in the society's publications, presentations and social media. The society's Better Common Names Project has launched a toolkit for adopting the new name as a resource for other organizations and experts.
By Kristen Rogers, CNN
Updated 3:19 PM EST, Fri March 04, 2022
(CNN)The scientists who have been working on changing an invasive moth's common name, which included an ethnic slur, have made their decision.
Previously known as "gypsy moth," the species Lymantria dispar is now "spongy moth," according to the Entomological Society of America, which makes the Common Names of Insects and Related Organisms List, an essential database for anyone working with insects.
For the Romani people -- an ethnic group originating in northern India that was at one time misidentified as Egyptian -- the word "gypsy" has been offensive, dangerous and dehumanizing since it first appeared in the 1500s, Margareta Matache, director of the Roma Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, told CNN in July 2021.
"This process to rename the G moth can serve as a truly effective practice on how to create better common names and ensure substantive and just participation of the affected communities in the process,"
Native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, the spongy moth is an invasive pest in North American forests, destroying the leaves of hundreds of tree and shrub species and costing hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and management efforts annually, according to the Entomological Society of America. This moth spends most of its 10-month life in the egg stage, which is when it travels on firewood, outdoor equipment and vehicles en masse.
"Public awareness is critical in slowing its spread," said the society's president, Jessica Ware, in a news release. "'Spongy moth' gives entomologists and foresters a name for this species that reinforces an important feature of the moth's biology and moves away from the outdated term that was previously used."
"We are grateful to the diverse community of people and organizations who have been involved in this renaming process and have committed to adopting 'spongy moth' as well," Ware added.
The moth's new name was chosen from more than 200 nominations evaluated by a group of more than 50 scientists convened by the society. The group sought insight from many experts and organizations and collected more than 1,000 responses about seven finalist names. "Spongy moth" refers to its sponge-like egg masses and comes from the common name "spongieuse," used for the insect in France and French-speaking Canada, according to the news release.
In addition to the new name now being listed on the Common Names List, "spongy moth" will be used in the society's publications, presentations and social media. The society's Better Common Names Project has launched a toolkit for adopting the new name as a resource for other organizations and experts.
Lymantria dispar asiatica, also known as the Asian spongy moth (formerly the Asian gypsy moth), is a moth in the family Erebidae of Eurasian origin. It is similar to Lymantria dispar dispar in appearance, but adult females can fly. It is classified as a pest and is host to over 500 species of trees, shrubs and plants.
Lymantria dispar asiatica has several common names including the Asian gypsy moth, persimmon caterpillar or persimmon tussock moth.
Lymantria dispar asiatica was originally described as a subspecies of Lymantria dispar by Vnukovskij in 1926. It was synonymized with Lymantria dispar dispar by Schintlmeister in 2004. L. d. asiatica is treated as a subspecies of 'L. dispar'.
The species has undergone the same reclassification of the family as Lymantria dispar, moving from Lymantriidae to Noctuidae to Erebidae.
Found throughout temperate Asia. Usually east of the Ural Mountains up into the far east of Russia and most of China and Korea. It is not found south of the Himalayan range in India.
Lymantria dispar asiatica has four stages of life: egg, larvae, pupae and moth.
The adult female moth is dirty- to creamy-white, with dark bands across the forewings. The hindwings are white. The female's body is stout and densely covered with hairs, and the antennae are dark brown and thread-like.
The adult male moth is smaller than the female moth, and the wings are dark brown with black bands across the forewings.
The hindwings are brown and may possess a crescent-shaped discal spot. Its head's front vertex and scape are light brown. The antennae are light brown and feathery.
Adult moths are incapable of eating, the adult only mates and lays eggs. Adult moths will die within one to three weeks after emerging.
Eggs are laid in clusters that are about the size of a dime. The eggs are dormant during the winter. Larvae will hatch from the eggs in the spring.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Lymantria
Species: L. dispar
Subspecies: L. d. asiatica
Trinomial name Lymantria dispar asiatica
Vnukovskij, 1926
Lymantria dispar asiatica has several common names including the Asian gypsy moth, persimmon caterpillar or persimmon tussock moth.
Lymantria dispar asiatica was originally described as a subspecies of Lymantria dispar by Vnukovskij in 1926. It was synonymized with Lymantria dispar dispar by Schintlmeister in 2004. L. d. asiatica is treated as a subspecies of 'L. dispar'.
The species has undergone the same reclassification of the family as Lymantria dispar, moving from Lymantriidae to Noctuidae to Erebidae.
Found throughout temperate Asia. Usually east of the Ural Mountains up into the far east of Russia and most of China and Korea. It is not found south of the Himalayan range in India.
Lymantria dispar asiatica has four stages of life: egg, larvae, pupae and moth.
The adult female moth is dirty- to creamy-white, with dark bands across the forewings. The hindwings are white. The female's body is stout and densely covered with hairs, and the antennae are dark brown and thread-like.
The adult male moth is smaller than the female moth, and the wings are dark brown with black bands across the forewings.
The hindwings are brown and may possess a crescent-shaped discal spot. Its head's front vertex and scape are light brown. The antennae are light brown and feathery.
Adult moths are incapable of eating, the adult only mates and lays eggs. Adult moths will die within one to three weeks after emerging.
Eggs are laid in clusters that are about the size of a dime. The eggs are dormant during the winter. Larvae will hatch from the eggs in the spring.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Lymantria
Species: L. dispar
Subspecies: L. d. asiatica
Trinomial name Lymantria dispar asiatica
Vnukovskij, 1926
Gypsy moth caterpillar
Chalciope mygdo
Triangular-striped moth,
Triangular-striped moth,
Chalciope is a genus of moths in the family Erebidae.
The Erebidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Noctuoidea. The family is among the largest families of moths by species count and contains a wide variety of well-known macromoth groups.
The family includes the underwings (Catocala); litter moths (Herminiinae); tiger, lichen, and wasp moths (Arctiinae); tussock moths (Lymantriinae), including the arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica); piercing moths (Calpinae and others); micronoctuoid moths (Micronoctuini); snout moths (Hypeninae); and zales, though many of these common names can also refer to moths outside the Erebidae (for example, crambid snout moths). Some of the erebid moths are called owlets.
The sizes of the adults range from among the largest of all moths (>5 in (127 mm) wingspan in the black witch) to the smallest of the macromoths (0.25 in (6 mm) wingspan in some of the Micronoctuini). The coloration of the adults spans the full range of dull, drab, and camouflaged (e.g., Zale lunifera and litter moths) to vivid, contrasting, and colorful (e.g., Aganainae and tiger moths). The moths are found on all continents except Antarctica.
Chalciope mygdon, the triangular-striped moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It is found from the Oriental region to Sundaland.
Its wingspan is about 36–40 mm. Head and thorax dark red brown. Abdomen greyish fuscous. Forewings purplish grey. Costa ochreous. A large red-brown patch occupying the white wing except the costal and outer area, and crossed by an oblique ochreous band. Its costal and outer edges bordered by reddish ochreous, and their angle almost joined by a red-brown streak from the apex. There is a sub-marginal specks series present. Hindwings fuscous. Cilia grey below apex and at outer angle.
Larva is a very slender pale bluish-grey semi-looper. Fine darker longitudinal lines present. The larvae feed on Phyllanthus species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Chalciope
Species: C. mygdon
Binomial name Chalciope mygdon
(Cramer, 1777)
The Erebidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Noctuoidea. The family is among the largest families of moths by species count and contains a wide variety of well-known macromoth groups.
The family includes the underwings (Catocala); litter moths (Herminiinae); tiger, lichen, and wasp moths (Arctiinae); tussock moths (Lymantriinae), including the arctic woolly bear moth (Gynaephora groenlandica); piercing moths (Calpinae and others); micronoctuoid moths (Micronoctuini); snout moths (Hypeninae); and zales, though many of these common names can also refer to moths outside the Erebidae (for example, crambid snout moths). Some of the erebid moths are called owlets.
The sizes of the adults range from among the largest of all moths (>5 in (127 mm) wingspan in the black witch) to the smallest of the macromoths (0.25 in (6 mm) wingspan in some of the Micronoctuini). The coloration of the adults spans the full range of dull, drab, and camouflaged (e.g., Zale lunifera and litter moths) to vivid, contrasting, and colorful (e.g., Aganainae and tiger moths). The moths are found on all continents except Antarctica.
Chalciope mygdon, the triangular-striped moth, is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Pieter Cramer in 1777. It is found from the Oriental region to Sundaland.
Its wingspan is about 36–40 mm. Head and thorax dark red brown. Abdomen greyish fuscous. Forewings purplish grey. Costa ochreous. A large red-brown patch occupying the white wing except the costal and outer area, and crossed by an oblique ochreous band. Its costal and outer edges bordered by reddish ochreous, and their angle almost joined by a red-brown streak from the apex. There is a sub-marginal specks series present. Hindwings fuscous. Cilia grey below apex and at outer angle.
Larva is a very slender pale bluish-grey semi-looper. Fine darker longitudinal lines present. The larvae feed on Phyllanthus species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Chalciope
Species: C. mygdon
Binomial name Chalciope mygdon
(Cramer, 1777)
Daphnusa ocellaris
Durian hawkmoth
Durian hawkmoth
The Sphingidae are a family of moths (Lepidoptera) called sphinx moths, also colloquially known as hawk moths, with many of their caterpillars known as “hornworms”; it includes about 1,450 species.
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Daphnusa ocellaris, the durian hawkmoth, is a species of moth of the family Sphingidae. The wingspan is 80–112 mm. The larvae feed on Durio and Nephelium
species.
It is found in Sri Lanka, northern India, Nepal, Thailand, Yunnan in southern China, Malaysia (Peninsular, Sarawak), Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan) Singapore and the Philippines. Daphnusa fruhstorferi from Java is sometimes treated as a valid species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Daphnusa
Species: D. ocellaris
Binomial name Daphnusa ocellaris
Walker, 1856
It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. The family was named by French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Daphnusa ocellaris, the durian hawkmoth, is a species of moth of the family Sphingidae. The wingspan is 80–112 mm. The larvae feed on Durio and Nephelium
species.
It is found in Sri Lanka, northern India, Nepal, Thailand, Yunnan in southern China, Malaysia (Peninsular, Sarawak), Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan) Singapore and the Philippines. Daphnusa fruhstorferi from Java is sometimes treated as a valid species.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Daphnusa
Species: D. ocellaris
Binomial name Daphnusa ocellaris
Walker, 1856
Ambulyx moorei
Cinnamon gliding hawkmoth
Cinnamon gliding hawkmoth
Ambulyx moorei, the cinnamon gliding hawkmoth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae.
The species was first described by Frederic Moore in 1858. It is found in Sri Lanka, southern and eastern India, the Nicobar Islands and Andaman Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, the Philippines (Palawan, Balabac), Malaysia (Peninsular, Sarawak), Singapore and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan).
The wingspan is 100–110 mm. The color varies from yellowish brown through orange brown to dark purplish red brown.
The caterpillar has an aqueous bluish-green head with a narrow, double yellowish dorsal stripe running vertex to apex of clypeus and from vertex to nape. Body is grass green on dorsum with yellow dots, except those of the dorso-lateral line on segments 3 to 5, which are white. There is no color changing before pupation, only becoming duller in shade. Pupa is 46–50 mm long with dark chestnut color up to segments 8 to 10, and then color becomes much paler. Spiracles are black with central slit chestnut cremaster nearly black.
Larvae have been recorded on Canarium album in China. Other recorded food plants include Buchanania and Lannea species. These moths are very sluggish during the day but fly well at night.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Ambulyx
Species: A. moorei
Binomial name Ambulyx moorei
Moore, [1858]
The species was first described by Frederic Moore in 1858. It is found in Sri Lanka, southern and eastern India, the Nicobar Islands and Andaman Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, the Philippines (Palawan, Balabac), Malaysia (Peninsular, Sarawak), Singapore and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan).
The wingspan is 100–110 mm. The color varies from yellowish brown through orange brown to dark purplish red brown.
The caterpillar has an aqueous bluish-green head with a narrow, double yellowish dorsal stripe running vertex to apex of clypeus and from vertex to nape. Body is grass green on dorsum with yellow dots, except those of the dorso-lateral line on segments 3 to 5, which are white. There is no color changing before pupation, only becoming duller in shade. Pupa is 46–50 mm long with dark chestnut color up to segments 8 to 10, and then color becomes much paler. Spiracles are black with central slit chestnut cremaster nearly black.
Larvae have been recorded on Canarium album in China. Other recorded food plants include Buchanania and Lannea species. These moths are very sluggish during the day but fly well at night.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Ambulyx
Species: A. moorei
Binomial name Ambulyx moorei
Moore, [1858]
Eudocima phalonia
Common fruit-piercing moth
Common fruit-piercing moth
Eudocima phalonia, the common fruit-piercing moth, is a fruit piercing moth of the family Erebidae.
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1763 Centuria Insectorum. It is found in large parts of the tropics, mainly in Asia, Africa and Australia but introduced into other areas such as Hawaii, New Zealand and the Society Islands. It is one of major fruit pests in the world.
The wingspan is about 80–94 mm in male. Palpi with third joint long and spatulate at extremity.
Forewings with non-crenulate cilia in male, crenulate in female. Head and thorax reddish brown with plum-color suffusion. Abdomen orange. Forewings reddish brown, usually with a greenish tinge and irrorated with dark specks. An oblique antemedial line present, which is generally dark and indistinct but sometimes pale and prominent.
Reniform indistinct. A curve postmedial line found, which is almost always met by an oblique streak from apex. Hindwings orange, with a large black lunule beyond lower angle of cell. There is a marginal black band with cilia pale spots runs from costa to vein 2. Ventral side of forewings with orange postmedial band.
The wingspan is about 90–110 mm in female. Female has much more variegated and dark reddish brown striated forewings. Reniform dark and sending a spur along median nervure to below the orbicular speck. There is a triangular white mark usually present on the postmedial line below vein 3.
Larva has dilated 11th somite and surrounded by a tubercle. Body purplish brown, where dorsum brown from 6th to 11th somites. Legs red and spiracular scarlet patches largest posteriorly and with some irregular white markings round them, on somite 9 in the form of an oblique white bar. There is a yellow sub-basal mark found on 4th somite. Fifth and sixth somites have black ocelli with yellow iris and white pupils. Two yellow patches can be seen on 11th somite.
The adult is considered an agricultural pest, causing damage to many fruit crops by piercing it with its strong proboscis in order to suck the juice. Attempts have been made to control them using baits for the adults, egg parasites and larval parasitoids.
The larvae feed mainly on vines belonging to the Menispermaceae but have also adapted to species of Erythrina and are known to feed on Erythrina crista-galli, Erythrina fusca, Erythrina variegata, Carronia multisepala, Hypserpa decumbens, Legnephora moorei, Pleogyne australis, Sarcopetalum harveyanum, Stephania aculeata, Stephania forsteri, Stephania japonica and Tinospora smilacina.
Infected plant parts are mostly the fruits. Fruits show sap ooze out and internal feeding of the caterpillar. Fruits may show premature drop. Adults penetrate the skin or rind with a strong, barbed proboscis. Damaged parts become spongy and with many lesions.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Eudocima
Species: E. phalonia
Binomial name Eudocima phalonia
(Linnaeus, 1763)
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1763 Centuria Insectorum. It is found in large parts of the tropics, mainly in Asia, Africa and Australia but introduced into other areas such as Hawaii, New Zealand and the Society Islands. It is one of major fruit pests in the world.
The wingspan is about 80–94 mm in male. Palpi with third joint long and spatulate at extremity.
Forewings with non-crenulate cilia in male, crenulate in female. Head and thorax reddish brown with plum-color suffusion. Abdomen orange. Forewings reddish brown, usually with a greenish tinge and irrorated with dark specks. An oblique antemedial line present, which is generally dark and indistinct but sometimes pale and prominent.
Reniform indistinct. A curve postmedial line found, which is almost always met by an oblique streak from apex. Hindwings orange, with a large black lunule beyond lower angle of cell. There is a marginal black band with cilia pale spots runs from costa to vein 2. Ventral side of forewings with orange postmedial band.
The wingspan is about 90–110 mm in female. Female has much more variegated and dark reddish brown striated forewings. Reniform dark and sending a spur along median nervure to below the orbicular speck. There is a triangular white mark usually present on the postmedial line below vein 3.
Larva has dilated 11th somite and surrounded by a tubercle. Body purplish brown, where dorsum brown from 6th to 11th somites. Legs red and spiracular scarlet patches largest posteriorly and with some irregular white markings round them, on somite 9 in the form of an oblique white bar. There is a yellow sub-basal mark found on 4th somite. Fifth and sixth somites have black ocelli with yellow iris and white pupils. Two yellow patches can be seen on 11th somite.
The adult is considered an agricultural pest, causing damage to many fruit crops by piercing it with its strong proboscis in order to suck the juice. Attempts have been made to control them using baits for the adults, egg parasites and larval parasitoids.
The larvae feed mainly on vines belonging to the Menispermaceae but have also adapted to species of Erythrina and are known to feed on Erythrina crista-galli, Erythrina fusca, Erythrina variegata, Carronia multisepala, Hypserpa decumbens, Legnephora moorei, Pleogyne australis, Sarcopetalum harveyanum, Stephania aculeata, Stephania forsteri, Stephania japonica and Tinospora smilacina.
Infected plant parts are mostly the fruits. Fruits show sap ooze out and internal feeding of the caterpillar. Fruits may show premature drop. Adults penetrate the skin or rind with a strong, barbed proboscis. Damaged parts become spongy and with many lesions.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Eudocima
Species: E. phalonia
Binomial name Eudocima phalonia
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Erebus ephesperis
Erebus ephesperis is a moth of the family Erebidae first described by Jacob Hübner in 1827. It is found in Asia, including India, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, China, Singapore and Borneo.
The wingspan is about 90 mm and the patterning is very obliterative, breaking the body outline with shadow like countershading. Adults feed on fruit juice, including peach.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Erebus
Species: E. ephesperis
Binomial name Erebus ephesperis
(Hübner, 1827)
The wingspan is about 90 mm and the patterning is very obliterative, breaking the body outline with shadow like countershading. Adults feed on fruit juice, including peach.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Erebus
Species: E. ephesperis
Binomial name Erebus ephesperis
(Hübner, 1827)
Calliteara pudibunda
The pale tussock caterpillar
The pale tussock caterpillar
Calliteara pudibunda, the pale tussock, is a moth of the family Erebidae.
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is found in Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus, western Siberia, eastern Transbaikalia and the Amur basin in south-eastern Russia, Korea, China, northern Vietnam and Singapore.
The hairs on these caterpillars can cause a very itchy rash. The prickly hairs are a defense mechanism (they are not poisonous or venomous).
Symptoms from stinging caterpillars usually include instant pain, with a longer lasting ache and a raised weal that usually soon subsides.
Contact with the venomous or irritating hairs include symptoms of extreme itch followed by wheals and a variable rash which can include a burning sensation. Other symptoms are dermatitis, pain, itching, and swelling of the affected area.
The intensity of the irritation is dependent on the sensitivity of the patient and the species of caterpillar.
Detached hairs if inhaled may cause laboured breathing. Irritation in some cases can last for days. Eye injuries have also been reported and may lead to conjunctivitis.
Treatment and control
Avoid contact with any hairy caterpillars or materials that they have contacted. When handling these insects, suitable protective clothing such as eyewear and gloves should always be worn. Most infestations are short lived and will subside after a short period.
Treatment of affected skin by itchy caterpillars includes the removal of all affected clothing. Apply a piece of adhesive tape to the affected areas and pull the tape off immediately. This should remove the majority of the hairs and reduce the irritation. The tape can be examined under the microscope to observe hairs.
Wash all areas where itchy caterpillars have been observed or where irritation occurs. Commonly irritation occurs from touching the caterpillar or moth, or contact with bed linen after moths or airborne irritating hairs have landed on washing.
Ice packs, analgesics, creams, antihistamines and lotions with steroids may assist in relieving the symptoms of both types of reactions.
The caterpillars feed on a range of tree leaves including elm, birch, hazel, lime and oak. And hops … which explains (a bit) its colloquial name of 'hop dogs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Calliteara
Species: C. pudibunda
Binomial name Calliteara pudibunda
(Linnaeus, 1758)
The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. It is found in Europe, Anatolia, Caucasus, western Siberia, eastern Transbaikalia and the Amur basin in south-eastern Russia, Korea, China, northern Vietnam and Singapore.
The hairs on these caterpillars can cause a very itchy rash. The prickly hairs are a defense mechanism (they are not poisonous or venomous).
Symptoms from stinging caterpillars usually include instant pain, with a longer lasting ache and a raised weal that usually soon subsides.
Contact with the venomous or irritating hairs include symptoms of extreme itch followed by wheals and a variable rash which can include a burning sensation. Other symptoms are dermatitis, pain, itching, and swelling of the affected area.
The intensity of the irritation is dependent on the sensitivity of the patient and the species of caterpillar.
Detached hairs if inhaled may cause laboured breathing. Irritation in some cases can last for days. Eye injuries have also been reported and may lead to conjunctivitis.
Treatment and control
Avoid contact with any hairy caterpillars or materials that they have contacted. When handling these insects, suitable protective clothing such as eyewear and gloves should always be worn. Most infestations are short lived and will subside after a short period.
Treatment of affected skin by itchy caterpillars includes the removal of all affected clothing. Apply a piece of adhesive tape to the affected areas and pull the tape off immediately. This should remove the majority of the hairs and reduce the irritation. The tape can be examined under the microscope to observe hairs.
Wash all areas where itchy caterpillars have been observed or where irritation occurs. Commonly irritation occurs from touching the caterpillar or moth, or contact with bed linen after moths or airborne irritating hairs have landed on washing.
Ice packs, analgesics, creams, antihistamines and lotions with steroids may assist in relieving the symptoms of both types of reactions.
The caterpillars feed on a range of tree leaves including elm, birch, hazel, lime and oak. And hops … which explains (a bit) its colloquial name of 'hop dogs.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Calliteara
Species: C. pudibunda
Binomial name Calliteara pudibunda
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Utra Violet Light effect.
Pompelon marginata
Pompelon is a monotypic moth genus in the family Zygaenidae erected by Francis Walker in 1854.
Its only species, Pompelon marginata, was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1843. It is a day-flying moth found throughout Southeast Asia, with sightings in the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Sulawesi, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Singapore.
They are often spotted resting on wild cinnamon trees. P. marginata is a mid-sized day-flying moth with predominantly black and rounded wings, with iridescent blue margins. Its head is surrounded by a red band that resembles that of a collar. Its body stands in stark contrast to its dark dorsal side, having a bright red thorax and abdomen. With its abdomen having a series of black dots along each segment. P. marginata's legs are black with a blue metallic sheen.
P. marginata's caterpillars feed exclusively on Cinnamomum, with each subspecies having a specific species that they feed on. Subspecies found in Singapore have been observed feeding on Cinnamomum iners, whereas others in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia have been observed feeding on Cinnamomum verum.
The larva is predominantly ivory in color, with an uneven distribution of black markings. On the dorsal end, there are verrucae distributed on each segment, they are tipped with black. On these verrucae, there are fine setae, even on the ones distributed on the flanks. When disturbed, the larva emits a clear liquid, potentially serving as a defense mechanism against predation.
The pupa tends to bend a single leaf in a U-shaped pattern, forming a brown silk sheet with the tip of the pupa extending out of the sheet. There are also fine white silk threads that emanate from the center of the pupa.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Zygaenidae
Genus: Pompelon
Walker, 1854
Species: P. marginata
Binomial name Pompelon marginata
Guérin, 1843
Its only species, Pompelon marginata, was first described by Félix Édouard Guérin-Méneville in 1843. It is a day-flying moth found throughout Southeast Asia, with sightings in the Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Sulawesi, Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Singapore.
They are often spotted resting on wild cinnamon trees. P. marginata is a mid-sized day-flying moth with predominantly black and rounded wings, with iridescent blue margins. Its head is surrounded by a red band that resembles that of a collar. Its body stands in stark contrast to its dark dorsal side, having a bright red thorax and abdomen. With its abdomen having a series of black dots along each segment. P. marginata's legs are black with a blue metallic sheen.
P. marginata's caterpillars feed exclusively on Cinnamomum, with each subspecies having a specific species that they feed on. Subspecies found in Singapore have been observed feeding on Cinnamomum iners, whereas others in Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia have been observed feeding on Cinnamomum verum.
The larva is predominantly ivory in color, with an uneven distribution of black markings. On the dorsal end, there are verrucae distributed on each segment, they are tipped with black. On these verrucae, there are fine setae, even on the ones distributed on the flanks. When disturbed, the larva emits a clear liquid, potentially serving as a defense mechanism against predation.
The pupa tends to bend a single leaf in a U-shaped pattern, forming a brown silk sheet with the tip of the pupa extending out of the sheet. There are also fine white silk threads that emanate from the center of the pupa.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Zygaenidae
Genus: Pompelon
Walker, 1854
Species: P. marginata
Binomial name Pompelon marginata
Guérin, 1843
Acherontia atropos
The (African) death's-head hawkmoth
The (African) death's-head hawkmoth
Acherontia atropos, the (African) death's-head hawkmoth, is the most widely recognized of three species within the genus Acherontia (the other two being Acherontia lachesis and Acherontia styx). It is most commonly identified by the vaguely skull-shaped pattern adorning the thorax, the characteristic from which its common and scientific names are derived. The species was first given its scientific name by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
Acherontia atropos is a large hawk moth with a wingspan of approximately 80–120 mm (about 3.5 to 5 inches), making it the largest moth in a number of the regions in which it resides.
An adult A. atropos has the typical wing and body structure seen in the family Sphingidae. The upper set of wings are brown with hints of yellow, amber, charcoal and cream; the lower wings are yellow with two brown stripes fashioned in waves extending diagonally across the surface. At rest, the wings of the moth fold downwards, concealing the hindwings behind the forewings.
The abdomen of A. atropos is robust and is covered in brown, feathery down. Yellow striping that highly resembles the colour patterns of a hornet extends part way across each abdominal segment. The intensity and distribution of colour can vary widely in individual specimens, with some individuals occasionally found expressing an indistinguishable "skull-like" pattern on the thorax.
Like in most Lepidoptera, female moths of this species tend to be larger than males, appearing bulkier and sporting larger, more robust abdomens.
The abdomen of a male Acherotia atropos is less broad, with a pointed distal (lower) abdominal segment. In contrast, the females of the species have a distal abdominal segment that is rounded off at the tip. Antennae seen on a male are thinner and shorter than the antennae seen on a female. There are no pattern or colour changes related to the sex of an A. atropos.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Acherontia
Species: A. atropos
Binomial name Acherontia atropos
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Acherontia atropos is a large hawk moth with a wingspan of approximately 80–120 mm (about 3.5 to 5 inches), making it the largest moth in a number of the regions in which it resides.
An adult A. atropos has the typical wing and body structure seen in the family Sphingidae. The upper set of wings are brown with hints of yellow, amber, charcoal and cream; the lower wings are yellow with two brown stripes fashioned in waves extending diagonally across the surface. At rest, the wings of the moth fold downwards, concealing the hindwings behind the forewings.
The abdomen of A. atropos is robust and is covered in brown, feathery down. Yellow striping that highly resembles the colour patterns of a hornet extends part way across each abdominal segment. The intensity and distribution of colour can vary widely in individual specimens, with some individuals occasionally found expressing an indistinguishable "skull-like" pattern on the thorax.
Like in most Lepidoptera, female moths of this species tend to be larger than males, appearing bulkier and sporting larger, more robust abdomens.
The abdomen of a male Acherotia atropos is less broad, with a pointed distal (lower) abdominal segment. In contrast, the females of the species have a distal abdominal segment that is rounded off at the tip. Antennae seen on a male are thinner and shorter than the antennae seen on a female. There are no pattern or colour changes related to the sex of an A. atropos.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Acherontia
Species: A. atropos
Binomial name Acherontia atropos
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Amata huebneri
Wasp moth
Wasp moth
Amata huebneri, the wasp moth, is a moth in the genus Amata of the family Erebidae (subfamily Arctiinae - "woolly bears" or "tiger moths"). The species was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1829.
A. huebneri is found from the Indo Australian tropics to northern Australia and is present in most of south-east Asia, including Singapore,
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Amata
Species: A. huebneri
Binomial name Amata huebneri
A. huebneri is found from the Indo Australian tropics to northern Australia and is present in most of south-east Asia, including Singapore,
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Genus: Amata
Species: A. huebneri
Binomial name Amata huebneri
Limacodidae
Slug moth caterpillar larva
Slug moth caterpillar larva
The Limacodidae or Euclidae are a family of moths in the superfamily Zygaenoidea or the Cossoidea; the placement is in dispute.
They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs.
They are also called cup moths because of the shape of their cocoons.
The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, and are mostly tropical, but occur worldwide, with about 1000 described species and probably many more as yet undescribed species.
The larvae are typically very flattened, and instead of prolegs, they have suckers. The thoracic legs are reduced, but always present, and they move by rolling waves rather than walking with individual prolegs. They even use a lubricant, a kind of liquefied silk, to move.
Larvae might be confused with the similarly flattened larvae of lycaenid butterflies, but those caterpillars have prolegs, are always longer than they are wide, and are always densely covered in short or long setae (hair-like bristles). The head is extended during feeding in the lycaenids, but remains covered in the Limacodidae.
Many limacodid larvae are green and fairly smooth (e.g. yellow-shouldered slug), but others have tubercles with urticating hairs and may have bright warning colours. The sting can be quite potent, causing severe pain.
The larval head is concealed under folds. First-instars skeletonise the leaf (avoiding small veins and eating mostly one surface), but later instars eat the whole leaf, usually from the underside. Many species seem to feed on several genera of host plants.
Eggs are flattened and thin. They are highly transparent and the larva can be seen developing inside. They may be laid singly or in clusters on leaves.
Limacodidae (e.g. Latoia viridissima, Parasa lepida, Penthocrates meyrick, Aarodia nana) have caused serious defoliation of palms.
Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Thosea sp., Limacodidae) "Doormat". Cup Moth larvae are often highly ornamented and brightly colored.
Two main types can be distinguished: larvae armed with rows of protuberances bearing stinging spines called nettle caterpillars, or non-spined forms where the surface of the larvae may by completely smooth, called gelatin caterpillars.
The larvae of this family bear no prolegs on their abdominal segments. The larva attaches itself to the substrate by means of an adhesive ventral surface.
The movement is like a slug hence their generic name. A stinging slug caterpillar (like this one) generally bears warning colouration and stinging hairs. These hairs can inject a venom from poison sacs carried at their base that are used as defensive weapons. Reactions can range from a mild itching to a very painful sting.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Glossata
Infraorder: Heteroneura
Division: Ditrysia
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea
Family: Limacodidae
Subfamilies: Chrysopolominae
They are often called slug moths because their caterpillars bear a distinct resemblance to slugs.
They are also called cup moths because of the shape of their cocoons.
The larvae are often liberally covered in protective stinging hairs, and are mostly tropical, but occur worldwide, with about 1000 described species and probably many more as yet undescribed species.
The larvae are typically very flattened, and instead of prolegs, they have suckers. The thoracic legs are reduced, but always present, and they move by rolling waves rather than walking with individual prolegs. They even use a lubricant, a kind of liquefied silk, to move.
Larvae might be confused with the similarly flattened larvae of lycaenid butterflies, but those caterpillars have prolegs, are always longer than they are wide, and are always densely covered in short or long setae (hair-like bristles). The head is extended during feeding in the lycaenids, but remains covered in the Limacodidae.
Many limacodid larvae are green and fairly smooth (e.g. yellow-shouldered slug), but others have tubercles with urticating hairs and may have bright warning colours. The sting can be quite potent, causing severe pain.
The larval head is concealed under folds. First-instars skeletonise the leaf (avoiding small veins and eating mostly one surface), but later instars eat the whole leaf, usually from the underside. Many species seem to feed on several genera of host plants.
Eggs are flattened and thin. They are highly transparent and the larva can be seen developing inside. They may be laid singly or in clusters on leaves.
Limacodidae (e.g. Latoia viridissima, Parasa lepida, Penthocrates meyrick, Aarodia nana) have caused serious defoliation of palms.
Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Thosea sp., Limacodidae) "Doormat". Cup Moth larvae are often highly ornamented and brightly colored.
Two main types can be distinguished: larvae armed with rows of protuberances bearing stinging spines called nettle caterpillars, or non-spined forms where the surface of the larvae may by completely smooth, called gelatin caterpillars.
The larvae of this family bear no prolegs on their abdominal segments. The larva attaches itself to the substrate by means of an adhesive ventral surface.
The movement is like a slug hence their generic name. A stinging slug caterpillar (like this one) generally bears warning colouration and stinging hairs. These hairs can inject a venom from poison sacs carried at their base that are used as defensive weapons. Reactions can range from a mild itching to a very painful sting.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Suborder: Glossata
Infraorder: Heteroneura
Division: Ditrysia
Superfamily: Zygaenoidea
Family: Limacodidae
Subfamilies: Chrysopolominae
Stinging Nettle Slug Caterpillar (Cup Moth, Scopelodes sp., Limacodidae)
Larva of Birthosea Bisura
Macroglossum stellararum
Hummingbird hawk moth
Hummingbird hawk moth
The hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) is a species of moth. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae. As of 2018, its entire genome and mitogenome have been sequenced.
Life cycle
Two or more broods are produced each year. The adult may be encountered at any time of the year, especially in the south of the range, where there may be three or four broods. It overwinters as an adult in a crevice among rocks, trees, and buildings. On very warm days it may emerge to feed in mid-winter. Unlike other moths, they have no sexual dimorphism in the size of their antennal lobes.
Ova
The glossy pale green ova (eggs) are spherical with a 1-millimetre (0.039 in) diameter. They are said to look like the flower buds of the host plant Galium, and that is where the female lays them. They hatch 6 to 8 days after laying. Up to 200 eggs may be laid by one female, each on a separate plant.
Larvae
Newly hatched larvae are clear yellow, and in the second instar assume their green coloration. The larva is green with two grey stripes bordered in cream along the sides and with a horn at the rear end typical of sphingids. The horn is purplish red, changing to blue with an orange tip in the last instar. They feed fully exposed on the top of the host plant and rest in among a tangle of stems. Although dependent on warmth and sun, the larval stage can be as rapid as 20 days.
Pupae
The pupae are pale brownish with a prominent, keeled proboscis, and two sharp spines at the end of the cremaster. They are enclosed in loose silken cocoons among the host plant debris or on the ground among leaf litter.
Adults
The forewings are brown, with black wavy lines across them, while the hindwings are orange with a black edge. The abdomen is quite broad, with a fan-tail of setae at the end. The wingspan is 40–45 millimetres (1.6–1.8 in).
In the southern parts of its range, the hummingbird hawk-moth is highly active even when temperatures are high, and thoracic temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) have been measured. This is among the highest recorded for hawk-moths, and near the limit for insect muscle activity.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Macroglossum
Species: M. stellatarum
Binomial name Macroglossum stellatarum
Life cycle
Two or more broods are produced each year. The adult may be encountered at any time of the year, especially in the south of the range, where there may be three or four broods. It overwinters as an adult in a crevice among rocks, trees, and buildings. On very warm days it may emerge to feed in mid-winter. Unlike other moths, they have no sexual dimorphism in the size of their antennal lobes.
Ova
The glossy pale green ova (eggs) are spherical with a 1-millimetre (0.039 in) diameter. They are said to look like the flower buds of the host plant Galium, and that is where the female lays them. They hatch 6 to 8 days after laying. Up to 200 eggs may be laid by one female, each on a separate plant.
Larvae
Newly hatched larvae are clear yellow, and in the second instar assume their green coloration. The larva is green with two grey stripes bordered in cream along the sides and with a horn at the rear end typical of sphingids. The horn is purplish red, changing to blue with an orange tip in the last instar. They feed fully exposed on the top of the host plant and rest in among a tangle of stems. Although dependent on warmth and sun, the larval stage can be as rapid as 20 days.
Pupae
The pupae are pale brownish with a prominent, keeled proboscis, and two sharp spines at the end of the cremaster. They are enclosed in loose silken cocoons among the host plant debris or on the ground among leaf litter.
Adults
The forewings are brown, with black wavy lines across them, while the hindwings are orange with a black edge. The abdomen is quite broad, with a fan-tail of setae at the end. The wingspan is 40–45 millimetres (1.6–1.8 in).
In the southern parts of its range, the hummingbird hawk-moth is highly active even when temperatures are high, and thoracic temperatures above 45 °C (113 °F) have been measured. This is among the highest recorded for hawk-moths, and near the limit for insect muscle activity.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Macroglossum
Species: M. stellatarum
Binomial name Macroglossum stellatarum
Arctornis l-nigrum
Black V moth
Black V moth
Arctornis is a genus of tussock moths in the family Erebidae, and the sole member of the tribe Arctornithini. The genus was erected by Ernst Friedrich Germar in 1810.
Arctornis l-nigrum, the black V moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was described by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1764. It is found in the Palearctic realm and Asia. The wingspan is 35–45 mm. The moth flies from May to July. The caterpillars feed on beech and birch.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Tribe: Arctornithini
Genus: Arctornis
Species: A. l-nigrum
Binomial name Arctornis l-nigrum
(Müller, 1764)
Arctornis l-nigrum, the black V moth, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was described by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1764. It is found in the Palearctic realm and Asia. The wingspan is 35–45 mm. The moth flies from May to July. The caterpillars feed on beech and birch.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Tribe: Arctornithini
Genus: Arctornis
Species: A. l-nigrum
Binomial name Arctornis l-nigrum
(Müller, 1764)
Polyura hebe plautus
Dragon head caterpillar
Dragon head caterpillar
Shot at Fuyong Interim Park
Polyura hebe, the plain nawab, is a butterfly belonging to the brush-footed butterflies family (Nymphalidae).
Polyura hebe has a wingspan of about 65 millimetres (2.6 in). In these medium-sized, heavy-bodies butterflies the outer edge of the forewings is concave, with a pointed apex and the hindwings show two short tails.
The upperside of the wings is greenish white. A broad dark brown apical border, wide at the apex, but decreasing in width towards the base of the costa, forms a wide internal greenish-white band. Also the hindwings show a broad dark brown border, with submarginal small white marks. The underside is brown and has a wide pale silvery-green median patch.
The caterpillar is bright green and has a black four-horned head.
This species can be found in Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Borneo.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Charaxes
Subgenus: Polyura
Species: P. hebe
Binomial name Polyura hebe
(Butler, 1866)
Polyura hebe has a wingspan of about 65 millimetres (2.6 in). In these medium-sized, heavy-bodies butterflies the outer edge of the forewings is concave, with a pointed apex and the hindwings show two short tails.
The upperside of the wings is greenish white. A broad dark brown apical border, wide at the apex, but decreasing in width towards the base of the costa, forms a wide internal greenish-white band. Also the hindwings show a broad dark brown border, with submarginal small white marks. The underside is brown and has a wide pale silvery-green median patch.
The caterpillar is bright green and has a black four-horned head.
This species can be found in Burma, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Borneo.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Charaxes
Subgenus: Polyura
Species: P. hebe
Binomial name Polyura hebe
(Butler, 1866)
Atlas Moth
Attacus atlas, the Atlas moth, is a large saturniidmoth endemic to the forests of Asia. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.
The Atlas moth is one of the largest lepidopteranswith a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm2 (~25 in2). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the white witch (Thysania agrippina) and in wing surface area by the Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules). As in most Lepidoptera, females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae.
The body is disproportionately small compared to the wings. The upperside of the wings are reddish brown with a pattern of black, white, pink, and purple lines and triangular, scale-less windows bordered in black. The undersides of the wings are paler. Both forewings have a prominent extension at the tip, marked so as to resemble the head of a snake, a resemblance which is exaggerated by movements of the wings when the moth is confronted by potential predators.
The atlas moth has no mouth. Every flight takes valuable energy and can take days off their already short lives, as it has a very short life span of only one to two weeks. They conserve energy by flying as little as possible. A female will wait for a male to come along and be fertilised, lay eggs and die.
Their habitat is primarily dry tropical forests, secondary forests, and shrublands across South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, including Borneo.
Females release powerful pheromones through a gland on the end of the abdomen to attract a mate. The female does not stray far from the location of her discarded cocoon. She seeks out a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones. Males can detect and home in on these pheromones from several kilometers away using chemoreceptorslocated on their feathery antennae. Once fertilized, the female lays a number of spherical eggs, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter, on the undersides of the leaves of food plants.
Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after approximately two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of citrus, cinnamon, guava, and evergreen trees. The caterpillars can grow to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in thickness. They are adorned with white, waxy, fleshy spines along their backs, which become more prominent at later instars. Beside the prolegs on the last abdominal segment, there is a large green spot surrounded by an orange ring. The majority of the time their first meal is their egg-shell.
After reaching a length of about 11.5 cm (4.5 in), the caterpillars are ready to pupate. They spin a 7–8 cm long papery cocoon interwoven with desiccated leaves and attach it to a twig using a strand of silk. The adult moths emerge from the cocoon after approximately four weeks depending on environmental factors.
Adult Atlas moths are weak, unsteady fliers. To conserve energy, the moths rest during the day and fly at night. As they lack fully formed mouthparts, the adults cannot eat, subsisting entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. As a result, they live for only a few days during which their sole objective is seeking out a mate. Adults may be found on wing throughout the year but are most abundant between November and January.
In India, Atlas moths are cultivated for their silk in a non-commercial capacity. Unlike silk produced by the related domestic silkmoth (Bombyx mori), Atlas moth silk is secreted as broken strands and is therefore less desirable. This brown, wool-like silk, known as fagara, is thought to have greater durability. Atlas moth cocoons are sometimes used as small pocket change purses in Taiwan.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Genus: Attacus
Species: A. atlas
Binomial name Attacus atlas (Linnaeus, 1758)
The Atlas moth is one of the largest lepidopteranswith a wingspan measuring up to 24 cm (9.4 in) and a wing surface area of about 160 cm2 (~25 in2). It is only surpassed in wingspan by the white witch (Thysania agrippina) and in wing surface area by the Hercules moth (Coscinocera hercules). As in most Lepidoptera, females are noticeably larger and heavier than males, while males have broader antennae.
The body is disproportionately small compared to the wings. The upperside of the wings are reddish brown with a pattern of black, white, pink, and purple lines and triangular, scale-less windows bordered in black. The undersides of the wings are paler. Both forewings have a prominent extension at the tip, marked so as to resemble the head of a snake, a resemblance which is exaggerated by movements of the wings when the moth is confronted by potential predators.
The atlas moth has no mouth. Every flight takes valuable energy and can take days off their already short lives, as it has a very short life span of only one to two weeks. They conserve energy by flying as little as possible. A female will wait for a male to come along and be fertilised, lay eggs and die.
Their habitat is primarily dry tropical forests, secondary forests, and shrublands across South Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, including Borneo.
Females release powerful pheromones through a gland on the end of the abdomen to attract a mate. The female does not stray far from the location of her discarded cocoon. She seeks out a perch where the air currents will best carry her pheromones. Males can detect and home in on these pheromones from several kilometers away using chemoreceptorslocated on their feathery antennae. Once fertilized, the female lays a number of spherical eggs, 2.5 mm (0.098 in) in diameter, on the undersides of the leaves of food plants.
Dusty-green caterpillars hatch after approximately two weeks and feed voraciously on the foliage of citrus, cinnamon, guava, and evergreen trees. The caterpillars can grow to 11.5 cm (4.5 in) in length and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) in thickness. They are adorned with white, waxy, fleshy spines along their backs, which become more prominent at later instars. Beside the prolegs on the last abdominal segment, there is a large green spot surrounded by an orange ring. The majority of the time their first meal is their egg-shell.
After reaching a length of about 11.5 cm (4.5 in), the caterpillars are ready to pupate. They spin a 7–8 cm long papery cocoon interwoven with desiccated leaves and attach it to a twig using a strand of silk. The adult moths emerge from the cocoon after approximately four weeks depending on environmental factors.
Adult Atlas moths are weak, unsteady fliers. To conserve energy, the moths rest during the day and fly at night. As they lack fully formed mouthparts, the adults cannot eat, subsisting entirely on fat reserves accumulated during the larval stage. As a result, they live for only a few days during which their sole objective is seeking out a mate. Adults may be found on wing throughout the year but are most abundant between November and January.
In India, Atlas moths are cultivated for their silk in a non-commercial capacity. Unlike silk produced by the related domestic silkmoth (Bombyx mori), Atlas moth silk is secreted as broken strands and is therefore less desirable. This brown, wool-like silk, known as fagara, is thought to have greater durability. Atlas moth cocoons are sometimes used as small pocket change purses in Taiwan.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Saturniidae
Genus: Attacus
Species: A. atlas
Binomial name Attacus atlas (Linnaeus, 1758)
Attacus atlas larva
Arctiinae sp
Wooly bears catetpillar
Wooly bears catetpillar
The Arctiinae (formerly called the family Arctiidae) are a large and diverse subfamily of moths with around 11,000 species found all over the world, including 6,000 neotropical species.
This subfamily includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers) which usually have bright colours, footmen which are usually much drabber, lichen moths, and wasp moths.
Many species have "hairy" caterpillars that are popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. The scientific name Arctiinae refers to this hairiness (Gk. αρκτος = a bear).
Some species within the Arctiinae have the word tussock in their common name because they have been misidentified as members of the Lymantriinae
subfamily based on the characteristics of the larvae.
The subfamily was previously classified as the family Arctiidae of the superfamily Noctuoidea and is a monophyletic group.
Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that the group is most closely related to litter moths Herminiinae and the Old World Aganainae, which are subfamilies of the family Erebidae.
The Arctiidae as a whole have been reclassified to represent this relationship. The family was lowered to subfamily status as the Arctiinae within the Erebidae.
The subfamilies and tribes of Arctiidae were lowered to tribes and subtribes, respectively, of this new Arctiinae to preserve the internal structure of the group.
The most distinctive feature of the subfamily is a tymbal organ on the metathorax. This organ has membranes which are vibrated to produce ultrasonic sounds. They also have thoracic tympanal organs for hearing, a trait which has a fairly broad distribution in the Lepidoptera, but the location and structure is distinctive to the subfamily.
Other distinctive traits are particular setae ('hairs') on the larvae, wing venation, and a pair of glands near the ovipositor. The sounds are used in mating and for defense against predators. Another good distinguishing character of the subfamily is presence of anal glands in females.
Many species retain distasteful or poisonous chemicals acquired from their host plants. Some species also have the ability to make their own defenses.
Common defenses include: cardiac glycosides (or cardenolides), pyrrolizidine alkaloids, pyrazines and histamines.
Larvae usually acquire these chemicals, and may retain them in the adult stage. But adults can acquire them, too, by regurgitating decomposing plants containing the compounds and sucking up the fluid.
Adults can transfer the defenses to their eggs, and males sometimes transfer them to females to help with defense of the eggs. Larval "hairs" may be stinging in some species, due to histamines their caterpillar makes.
The insects advertise these defenses with aposematic bright coloration, unusual postures, odours, or, in adults, ultrasonic vibrations. Some mimic moths that are poisonous or wasps that sting. The ultrasound signals help nocturnal predators to learn to avoid the moths and for some species can jam bat echolocation.
Garden tiger moth caterpillar (Arctia caja)
This caterpillar is also known as the woolly bear - for good reason! It has a dense coat of long hairs all over its body. The hairs are chestnut brown on the sides and white along the back, turning black closer to the body.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Leach, 1815
Type species Arctia caja
(Linnaeus, 1758)
This subfamily includes the groups commonly known as tiger moths (or tigers) which usually have bright colours, footmen which are usually much drabber, lichen moths, and wasp moths.
Many species have "hairy" caterpillars that are popularly known as woolly bears or woolly worms. The scientific name Arctiinae refers to this hairiness (Gk. αρκτος = a bear).
Some species within the Arctiinae have the word tussock in their common name because they have been misidentified as members of the Lymantriinae
subfamily based on the characteristics of the larvae.
The subfamily was previously classified as the family Arctiidae of the superfamily Noctuoidea and is a monophyletic group.
Recent phylogenetic studies have shown that the group is most closely related to litter moths Herminiinae and the Old World Aganainae, which are subfamilies of the family Erebidae.
The Arctiidae as a whole have been reclassified to represent this relationship. The family was lowered to subfamily status as the Arctiinae within the Erebidae.
The subfamilies and tribes of Arctiidae were lowered to tribes and subtribes, respectively, of this new Arctiinae to preserve the internal structure of the group.
The most distinctive feature of the subfamily is a tymbal organ on the metathorax. This organ has membranes which are vibrated to produce ultrasonic sounds. They also have thoracic tympanal organs for hearing, a trait which has a fairly broad distribution in the Lepidoptera, but the location and structure is distinctive to the subfamily.
Other distinctive traits are particular setae ('hairs') on the larvae, wing venation, and a pair of glands near the ovipositor. The sounds are used in mating and for defense against predators. Another good distinguishing character of the subfamily is presence of anal glands in females.
Many species retain distasteful or poisonous chemicals acquired from their host plants. Some species also have the ability to make their own defenses.
Common defenses include: cardiac glycosides (or cardenolides), pyrrolizidine alkaloids, pyrazines and histamines.
Larvae usually acquire these chemicals, and may retain them in the adult stage. But adults can acquire them, too, by regurgitating decomposing plants containing the compounds and sucking up the fluid.
Adults can transfer the defenses to their eggs, and males sometimes transfer them to females to help with defense of the eggs. Larval "hairs" may be stinging in some species, due to histamines their caterpillar makes.
The insects advertise these defenses with aposematic bright coloration, unusual postures, odours, or, in adults, ultrasonic vibrations. Some mimic moths that are poisonous or wasps that sting. The ultrasound signals help nocturnal predators to learn to avoid the moths and for some species can jam bat echolocation.
Garden tiger moth caterpillar (Arctia caja)
This caterpillar is also known as the woolly bear - for good reason! It has a dense coat of long hairs all over its body. The hairs are chestnut brown on the sides and white along the back, turning black closer to the body.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Arctiinae
Leach, 1815
Type species Arctia caja
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Amathusia phidippus
The palmking
The palmking
Amathusia phidippus, the palmking, is a butterfly found in India and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the Satyrinae, a subfamily of the brush-footed butterflies.
Male: upperside umber brown. Forewing with the costal margin narrowly fulvous (reddish brown) near apex, crossing towards the termen, forming an obscure preapical band joining a subterminal lunular band of the same colour.
Hindwing uniform, with a subterminal band as in the forewing but not lunular, straight. Underside pale brown, with the following transverse pale lilac-white bands crossing both forewing and hindwing: basal, subbasal, discal, postdiscal, broad subterminal and terminal; the subbasal and discal of equal width, meeting above the tornal angle in V-shape, the space between the two bands with.
On the forewing, two shorter similar bands crossing the cell, on the hindwing a single similar band from costa to median vein; subterminal band on hindwing bent upwards above tornal area and continued halfway up the dorsal margin, the broadly-produced tornus with a dark brown spot; finally a large ochraceous ocellus in interspace 2, and a smaller similar one in interspace 6. Antennae reddish; head, thorax and abdomen umber brown. Secondary sex-mark a glandular fold in membrane of wing shaded by tufts of long hair along vein 1 on upperside of hindwing, and preapically on the abdomen with tufts of stiff long hairs.
Female: Upper and undersides as in the male but paler; on the upperside the fulvous along the costal margin widens into a preapical patch, and generally the bands on the underside show through and appear above as pale fulvous bands.
Wingspan: 112–122 mm. The freshly laid eggs are creamy white with a small black spot in the centre and a black circular ring. The eggs are laid in a row. Prior to hatching, the colour of the egg changes to black. Eggs hatch in 6 to 7 days.
The first instar larvae are cylindrical, measuring 0.6 to 0.8 mm in length. The second instar larvae are pale greenish yellow measuring 0.8 to 1.2 mm in length. The third instar larvae are morphologically very similar to the previous instar, but are longer (3 to 4 cm) and stouter. The fourth instar larvae are stouter and longer measuring 4.5 to 5.0 cm. During the fifth instar, the larvae become more brownish than greyish and measure 7.0 to 7.5 cm in length.
Larvae of the palm king are voracious feeders. Most of the time, they remain on the underside of the leaf, eating from the tip of the leaf working towards the base. With regard to coloration, the fifth instars show marked difference in their ground colour: some being more brownish and some more greyish.
The process of pupation takes about half a day and resulted in a greenish spindle-shaped pupa, well-camouflaged among the pointed leaves of the host plant. Initially, they are semi-transparent but later they become more opaque. The pupa has veins and lines similar to that of the leaves of the host plant, all veins ending at the pointed lower end of the pupa. The pupa becomes transparent on the eve of hatching, with the wings and head clearly visible. The hatching takes place on the 12th and 13th day of pupation.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Amathusia
Species: A. phidippus
Binomial name Amathusia phidippus
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Male: upperside umber brown. Forewing with the costal margin narrowly fulvous (reddish brown) near apex, crossing towards the termen, forming an obscure preapical band joining a subterminal lunular band of the same colour.
Hindwing uniform, with a subterminal band as in the forewing but not lunular, straight. Underside pale brown, with the following transverse pale lilac-white bands crossing both forewing and hindwing: basal, subbasal, discal, postdiscal, broad subterminal and terminal; the subbasal and discal of equal width, meeting above the tornal angle in V-shape, the space between the two bands with.
On the forewing, two shorter similar bands crossing the cell, on the hindwing a single similar band from costa to median vein; subterminal band on hindwing bent upwards above tornal area and continued halfway up the dorsal margin, the broadly-produced tornus with a dark brown spot; finally a large ochraceous ocellus in interspace 2, and a smaller similar one in interspace 6. Antennae reddish; head, thorax and abdomen umber brown. Secondary sex-mark a glandular fold in membrane of wing shaded by tufts of long hair along vein 1 on upperside of hindwing, and preapically on the abdomen with tufts of stiff long hairs.
Female: Upper and undersides as in the male but paler; on the upperside the fulvous along the costal margin widens into a preapical patch, and generally the bands on the underside show through and appear above as pale fulvous bands.
Wingspan: 112–122 mm. The freshly laid eggs are creamy white with a small black spot in the centre and a black circular ring. The eggs are laid in a row. Prior to hatching, the colour of the egg changes to black. Eggs hatch in 6 to 7 days.
The first instar larvae are cylindrical, measuring 0.6 to 0.8 mm in length. The second instar larvae are pale greenish yellow measuring 0.8 to 1.2 mm in length. The third instar larvae are morphologically very similar to the previous instar, but are longer (3 to 4 cm) and stouter. The fourth instar larvae are stouter and longer measuring 4.5 to 5.0 cm. During the fifth instar, the larvae become more brownish than greyish and measure 7.0 to 7.5 cm in length.
Larvae of the palm king are voracious feeders. Most of the time, they remain on the underside of the leaf, eating from the tip of the leaf working towards the base. With regard to coloration, the fifth instars show marked difference in their ground colour: some being more brownish and some more greyish.
The process of pupation takes about half a day and resulted in a greenish spindle-shaped pupa, well-camouflaged among the pointed leaves of the host plant. Initially, they are semi-transparent but later they become more opaque. The pupa has veins and lines similar to that of the leaves of the host plant, all veins ending at the pointed lower end of the pupa. The pupa becomes transparent on the eve of hatching, with the wings and head clearly visible. The hatching takes place on the 12th and 13th day of pupation.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Amathusia
Species: A. phidippus
Binomial name Amathusia phidippus
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Lambrix Salsala
Chestnut Bob
Chestnut Bob
Lambrix is an Indomalayan genus of grass skippers in the family Hesperiidae.
Lambrix salsala, the chestnut bob, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae, that is found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The butterfly occurs in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, north Vietnam, Hainan, Hong Kong, south Yunnan, Langkawi, Malaysia, Singapore, Tioman, Sumatra and Java.
Male and female dark brown with olive-brown gloss.
The wings of this small Skipper are dark brown above and below. On the underside, the wings are dusted with ferruginous brown and there are a series of small silvery white spots.
Male; upperside, forewing with two or three ill-defined yellowish spots ascending obliquely from beyond middle of posterior margin.
Female; forewing with an oblique series of small semi-transparent white spots curving across the disc (more or less distinct), and terminated below by an ill-defined yellowish spot. Underside chestnut-brown suffused with black on the disc; forewing with minute white spots, one at extremity of the cell, and two or three obliquely beyond; hindwing with a series of three spots disposed in a curve across disc; cilia greyish-brown. Palpi, body, and legs yellowish beneath.
The Chestnut Bob is a common butterfly on the plains and occurs mainly in secondary growth and gardens. It skips quite close to the ground feeding on flowers.The larva probably feeds on bamboo and grasses.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: lnsecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Iambrix
Species: I.salsala
Binomial nameIambrix salsala
(Moore, 1865)
Lambrix salsala, the chestnut bob, is a butterfly belonging to the family Hesperiidae, that is found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The butterfly occurs in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, north Vietnam, Hainan, Hong Kong, south Yunnan, Langkawi, Malaysia, Singapore, Tioman, Sumatra and Java.
Male and female dark brown with olive-brown gloss.
The wings of this small Skipper are dark brown above and below. On the underside, the wings are dusted with ferruginous brown and there are a series of small silvery white spots.
Male; upperside, forewing with two or three ill-defined yellowish spots ascending obliquely from beyond middle of posterior margin.
Female; forewing with an oblique series of small semi-transparent white spots curving across the disc (more or less distinct), and terminated below by an ill-defined yellowish spot. Underside chestnut-brown suffused with black on the disc; forewing with minute white spots, one at extremity of the cell, and two or three obliquely beyond; hindwing with a series of three spots disposed in a curve across disc; cilia greyish-brown. Palpi, body, and legs yellowish beneath.
The Chestnut Bob is a common butterfly on the plains and occurs mainly in secondary growth and gardens. It skips quite close to the ground feeding on flowers.The larva probably feeds on bamboo and grasses.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: lnsecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Iambrix
Species: I.salsala
Binomial nameIambrix salsala
(Moore, 1865)
Ideopsis vulgaris
The blue glassy tiger
The blue glassy tiger
Ideopsis vulgaris, the blue glassy tiger, is a butterfly that belongs to the crows and tigers, that is, the danaid group of the brush-footed butterflies family.
These butterflies inhabits a range of habitats, but especially occur at the edge of rainforest or plantations and in the coastal mangrove areas.
Ideopsis vulgaris has a wingspan reaching 70–80 millimetres (2.8–3.1 in). This butterfly is quite similar to the dark glassy tiger (Parantica agleoides). A transverse black bar in the forewing cell, cutting through one of the white streaks, distinguishes the blue glassy tiger from the other one.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Ideopsis
Species: I. vulgaris
Binomial name Ideopsis vulgaris
(Butler, 1874)
These butterflies inhabits a range of habitats, but especially occur at the edge of rainforest or plantations and in the coastal mangrove areas.
Ideopsis vulgaris has a wingspan reaching 70–80 millimetres (2.8–3.1 in). This butterfly is quite similar to the dark glassy tiger (Parantica agleoides). A transverse black bar in the forewing cell, cutting through one of the white streaks, distinguishes the blue glassy tiger from the other one.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Ideopsis
Species: I. vulgaris
Binomial name Ideopsis vulgaris
(Butler, 1874)
Semanga Superba deliciosa
Semanga is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Genus: Semanga
Species: superba H. Druce, 1873
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Subfamily: Theclinae
Genus: Semanga
Species: superba H. Druce, 1873
Potanthus omaha
Lesser dart
Lesser dart
Potanthus omaha, commonly known as the lesser dart, is a species of skipper butterflies. It is found in Indochina, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, India and Sulawesi.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Potanthus
Species: P. omaha
Binomial name Potanthus omaha
(H. Edwards, 1863)
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Hesperiidae
Genus: Potanthus
Species: P. omaha
Binomial name Potanthus omaha
(H. Edwards, 1863)
Papilio iswara
The great Helen
The great Helen
Papilio iswara, the great Helen, is a species of large swallowtail butterfly found in parts of Southeast Asia.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. iswara
Binomial name Papilio iswara
White, 1842
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. iswara
Binomial name Papilio iswara
White, 1842
Lasippa tiga siaka
Malayan Lascar
Malayan Lascar
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Lasippa
Species: L. tiga
Subspecies : Siaka
Common Name: Malayan Lascar
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Lasippa
Species: L. tiga
Subspecies : Siaka
Common Name: Malayan Lascar
Hypolimnas misippus
Danaid eggfly
Danaid eggfly
Hypolimnas misippus, the Danaid eggfly, mimic, or diadem, is a widespread species of nymphalid butterfly. It is well known for polymorphism and mimicry.
Males are blackish with distinctive white spots that are fringed in blue.
Females are in multiple forms that include male-like forms while others closely resemble the toxic butterflies Danaus chrysippus and Danaus plexippus. They are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In the new world they are found in the West Indies, with strays in Central and North America.
The male has the upperwings dark velvety brownish black. The forewing has a broad white oval spot between veins 3 and 7. A smaller spot near the apex is also present. These spots are crossed by the black veins and bordered in iridescent blue that is visible only at certain angles. The hindwing has a larger white spot but the veins crossing it are yellowish and not as prominent as on the forewing. There are some white specks along the tornus and the margin is edged with white and black.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species: H. misippus
Binomial name Hypolimnas misippus
Males are blackish with distinctive white spots that are fringed in blue.
Females are in multiple forms that include male-like forms while others closely resemble the toxic butterflies Danaus chrysippus and Danaus plexippus. They are found across Africa, Asia, and Australia. In the new world they are found in the West Indies, with strays in Central and North America.
The male has the upperwings dark velvety brownish black. The forewing has a broad white oval spot between veins 3 and 7. A smaller spot near the apex is also present. These spots are crossed by the black veins and bordered in iridescent blue that is visible only at certain angles. The hindwing has a larger white spot but the veins crossing it are yellowish and not as prominent as on the forewing. There are some white specks along the tornus and the margin is edged with white and black.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Hypolimnas
Species: H. misippus
Binomial name Hypolimnas misippus
Junonia hedonia
The brown pansy
The brown pansy
Junonia hedonia, the brown pansy, chocolate pansy, brown soldier or chocolate argus, is a butterfly found in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Australia.
The upperside of the Chocolate Pansy is dark reddish brown with a series of prominent reddish ocelli on the hindwing. The butterfly flies in the usual gliding fashion of the Junonia species and can be observed basking in the sun with its wings opened flat, typically several individuals can be seen together in one location.
This species is rather common across multiple habitats in Singapore, with ubiquitous presence in nature reserves as well as urban and suburban areas.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Junonia
Species: J. hedonia
Binomial name Junonia hedonia
(Linnaeus, 1764)
The upperside of the Chocolate Pansy is dark reddish brown with a series of prominent reddish ocelli on the hindwing. The butterfly flies in the usual gliding fashion of the Junonia species and can be observed basking in the sun with its wings opened flat, typically several individuals can be seen together in one location.
This species is rather common across multiple habitats in Singapore, with ubiquitous presence in nature reserves as well as urban and suburban areas.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Junonia
Species: J. hedonia
Binomial name Junonia hedonia
(Linnaeus, 1764)
Parthenos sylvia
Parthenos sylvia, the clipper, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in south and southeast Asia, mostly in forested areas.
The clipper is a fast-flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Parthenos
Species: P. sylvia
Binomial name Parthenos sylvia
The clipper is a fast-flying butterfly and has a habit of flying with its wings flapping stiffly between the horizontal position and a few degrees below the horizontal. It may glide between spurts of flapping.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Parthenos
Species: P. sylvia
Binomial name Parthenos sylvia
Plain Tiger
Danaus chrysippus, also known as the plain tiger or African queen, is a medium-sized butterfly widespread in Asia, Australia and Africa. It belongs to the Danainae subfamily of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae. Danainae primarily consume plants in the genus Asclepias, more commonly called milkweed.
Scientific name: Danaus chrysippus
Family: Nymphalidae
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Tiger milkweed butterflies
Order: Lepidoptera
Class: Insecta
Scientific name: Danaus chrysippus
Family: Nymphalidae
Rank: Species
Higher classification: Tiger milkweed butterflies
Order: Lepidoptera
Class: Insecta
Polyura athamas
Common Nawab
Common Nawab
Polyura athamas, the common nawab, is a species of fast-flying canopy butterfly found in tropical Asia. It belongs to the Charaxinae in the brush-footed butterfly family. (Nymphalidae).
Phylum: Arthropoda
Higher classification: Nawab butterflies
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Charaxes
Subgenus: Polyura
Species: P. athamas
Binomial name Polyura athamas
(Drury) 1773
Phylum: Arthropoda
Higher classification: Nawab butterflies
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Charaxes
Subgenus: Polyura
Species: P. athamas
Binomial name Polyura athamas
(Drury) 1773
Malay Cruiser
Vindula dejone, the Malay cruiser, is a butterfly from the family Nymphalidae found in Southeast Asia. It is sexually dimorphic. Larvae feed on Adenia.
Rank: Species
Species: V. dejone
Family: Nymphalidae
Rank: Species
Species: V. dejone
Family: Nymphalidae
Junonia almana
peacock pansy
peacock pansy
Junonia is a genus of nymphalid butterflies, described by Jacob Hübner in 1819. They are commonly known as buckeyes, pansies or commodores.
This genus flies on every continent except Antarctica. The genus contains roughly 30 to 35 species.
These butterflies are medium to large (wingspan 40–110 mm). The ground colour is brown or grey suffused blue. Spots on the wings are orange, blue or pink and sometimes large.
Many of the species can occur in several colour forms. The head is of moderate size with smooth, prominent eyes. The palpi are rather long, sharply pointed, ascending, generally convergent and scaly, sometimes more or less hairy.
The antennae are of moderate length, generally with a rather short, abruptly formed club. The thorax is robust, ovate, rather sparingly clothed with hairs.
The wing characters are large, broad, variable in outline.
Forewing : costa more or less arched, sometimes very strongly so, apical portion more or less produced, sometimes very prominent, with a strong projection on the hind margin at the extremity of the first discoidal nervule, hind margin always more or less dentate and emarginate, with in many species, a considerable projection at extremity of third median nervule, inner margin nearly straight, or slightly emarginate about centre, discoidal cell generally closed by a slender nervule.
Hindwing : costa strongly arched at base, and more or less so throughout, hind margin always more or less scalloped, sometimes simply rounded (without any marked projections), sometimes with a more or less elongate production of anal angle, and occasionally with a longer or shorter projection of hind margin at extremity of first median nervule, inner margins deeply grooved and entirely covering the under surface of the abdomen, discoidal cell generally open. The abdomen short, compressed, rather slender.
The larvae are rather stout, almost of equal thickness throughout, armed with strong branched spines, sometimes with two short, similar spines on head. The pupae are moderately angulated, with raised tubercles on the back, head slightly bifid. Sometimes hardly angulated, the anterior portions more rounded.
Junonia are good fliers. The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, among others Labiatae, Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Onagraceae, Leguminosae, Balsaminaceae, Gramineae, Melastomataceae, Plantaginaceae, Aucubaceae and Compositae. The species found in South India generally show very sensitive behaviour.
Junonia almana, the peacock pansy, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in Cambodia and South Asia.
It exists in two distinct adult forms, which differ chiefly in the patterns on the underside of the wings, the dry-season form has few markings, while the wet-season form has additional eyespots and lines. It is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List.
The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 54–62 mm (2.1–2.4 in), and exhibits seasonal polyphenism
Dry season form : Upperside rich orange-yellow. Fore wing with a pale dusky and a much darker short transverse bar with lateral jet-black marginal lines across cell, another somewhat similar bar defining the discocellulars, costal margin, an inner and an outer subterminal line, and a terminal line dusky black, a large minutely white-centred ocellus with an inner slender and outer black ring on disc in interspace 2, two similar but smaller geminate subapical ocelli with an obscure pale spot above them and a short oblique bar connecting them to the black on the costa.
Hind wing: a small minutely white-centred and very slenderly black-ringed discal ocellus in interspace 2, with a very much larger pale yellow and black-ringed ocellus above it spreading over interspaces 4, 5 and 6, the centre of this ocellus inwardly brownish orange, outwardly bluish black, with two minute white spots in vertical order between the two colours; finally postdiscal subterminal and terminal black sinuous lines.
Underside ochraceous brown, very variable. In most specimens the cell of the fore wing is crossed by three dark sinuous bands, the outermost along the discocellulars, these are very faint in some, both fore and hind wings crossed by a basal and a discal pale sinuous line, the latter margined outwardly by a dark shade, which is traversed by an obscure somewhat obsolescent row of dark spots, and outwardly bounded by a subterminal sinuous line, the dark shade in many cases spreading on the fore wing to the terminal edge of the wing, on the hind wing the subterminal line meets the discal in an acute angle at the tornus. Antennae dark brown, head, thorax and abdomen more or less orange-brown, paler beneath.
Wet season form : Upperside similar, the black markings deeper in colour and heavier, the subterminal and terminal lines more clearly defined.
Underside pale ochraceous. Fore wing cell crossed by live short sinuous dark brown lines, a similar line on the discocellulars and another beyond it, both bent inwards at an angle and continued to the dorsum, the space between them forming a discal broad fascia, which pales to whitish posteriorly, the postdiscal ocelli, subterminal and terminal lines as on the upperside but paler.
Hind wing : a slender transverse subbasal dark line, a discal whitish straight fascia in continuation of the one on the fore wing, the postdiscal ocelli, the subterminal and terminal lines much as on the upperside but paler, the anterior ocellus with a double iris and centre. Antennae dark brown, head, thorax and abdomen slightly darker than in the dry-season form.
J. almana is found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia, and eastwards to China and Japan.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Junonia
Species : J. almana
Binomial name Junonia almana
(Linnaeus, 1758)
This genus flies on every continent except Antarctica. The genus contains roughly 30 to 35 species.
These butterflies are medium to large (wingspan 40–110 mm). The ground colour is brown or grey suffused blue. Spots on the wings are orange, blue or pink and sometimes large.
Many of the species can occur in several colour forms. The head is of moderate size with smooth, prominent eyes. The palpi are rather long, sharply pointed, ascending, generally convergent and scaly, sometimes more or less hairy.
The antennae are of moderate length, generally with a rather short, abruptly formed club. The thorax is robust, ovate, rather sparingly clothed with hairs.
The wing characters are large, broad, variable in outline.
Forewing : costa more or less arched, sometimes very strongly so, apical portion more or less produced, sometimes very prominent, with a strong projection on the hind margin at the extremity of the first discoidal nervule, hind margin always more or less dentate and emarginate, with in many species, a considerable projection at extremity of third median nervule, inner margin nearly straight, or slightly emarginate about centre, discoidal cell generally closed by a slender nervule.
Hindwing : costa strongly arched at base, and more or less so throughout, hind margin always more or less scalloped, sometimes simply rounded (without any marked projections), sometimes with a more or less elongate production of anal angle, and occasionally with a longer or shorter projection of hind margin at extremity of first median nervule, inner margins deeply grooved and entirely covering the under surface of the abdomen, discoidal cell generally open. The abdomen short, compressed, rather slender.
The larvae are rather stout, almost of equal thickness throughout, armed with strong branched spines, sometimes with two short, similar spines on head. The pupae are moderately angulated, with raised tubercles on the back, head slightly bifid. Sometimes hardly angulated, the anterior portions more rounded.
Junonia are good fliers. The larvae feed on a wide variety of plants, among others Labiatae, Acanthaceae, Amaranthaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Onagraceae, Leguminosae, Balsaminaceae, Gramineae, Melastomataceae, Plantaginaceae, Aucubaceae and Compositae. The species found in South India generally show very sensitive behaviour.
Junonia almana, the peacock pansy, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in Cambodia and South Asia.
It exists in two distinct adult forms, which differ chiefly in the patterns on the underside of the wings, the dry-season form has few markings, while the wet-season form has additional eyespots and lines. It is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List.
The adult butterfly has a wingspan of 54–62 mm (2.1–2.4 in), and exhibits seasonal polyphenism
Dry season form : Upperside rich orange-yellow. Fore wing with a pale dusky and a much darker short transverse bar with lateral jet-black marginal lines across cell, another somewhat similar bar defining the discocellulars, costal margin, an inner and an outer subterminal line, and a terminal line dusky black, a large minutely white-centred ocellus with an inner slender and outer black ring on disc in interspace 2, two similar but smaller geminate subapical ocelli with an obscure pale spot above them and a short oblique bar connecting them to the black on the costa.
Hind wing: a small minutely white-centred and very slenderly black-ringed discal ocellus in interspace 2, with a very much larger pale yellow and black-ringed ocellus above it spreading over interspaces 4, 5 and 6, the centre of this ocellus inwardly brownish orange, outwardly bluish black, with two minute white spots in vertical order between the two colours; finally postdiscal subterminal and terminal black sinuous lines.
Underside ochraceous brown, very variable. In most specimens the cell of the fore wing is crossed by three dark sinuous bands, the outermost along the discocellulars, these are very faint in some, both fore and hind wings crossed by a basal and a discal pale sinuous line, the latter margined outwardly by a dark shade, which is traversed by an obscure somewhat obsolescent row of dark spots, and outwardly bounded by a subterminal sinuous line, the dark shade in many cases spreading on the fore wing to the terminal edge of the wing, on the hind wing the subterminal line meets the discal in an acute angle at the tornus. Antennae dark brown, head, thorax and abdomen more or less orange-brown, paler beneath.
Wet season form : Upperside similar, the black markings deeper in colour and heavier, the subterminal and terminal lines more clearly defined.
Underside pale ochraceous. Fore wing cell crossed by live short sinuous dark brown lines, a similar line on the discocellulars and another beyond it, both bent inwards at an angle and continued to the dorsum, the space between them forming a discal broad fascia, which pales to whitish posteriorly, the postdiscal ocelli, subterminal and terminal lines as on the upperside but paler.
Hind wing : a slender transverse subbasal dark line, a discal whitish straight fascia in continuation of the one on the fore wing, the postdiscal ocelli, the subterminal and terminal lines much as on the upperside but paler, the anterior ocellus with a double iris and centre. Antennae dark brown, head, thorax and abdomen slightly darker than in the dry-season form.
J. almana is found in India, Sri Lanka and South East Asia, and eastwards to China and Japan.
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : Junonia
Species : J. almana
Binomial name Junonia almana
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Blue Pansy
Junonia orithya is a nymphalid butterfly with many subspecies occurring from Africa, through southern and south-eastern Asia, Cambodia and in Australia. In India, its common English name is the blue pansy, but in southern Africa it is known as the eyed pansy as the name blue pansy refers to Junonia oenone. Wikipedia
Scientific name: Junonia orithya
Order: Lepidoptera
Rank: Species
Family: Nymphalidae
Phylum: Arthropoda
Scientific name: Junonia orithya
Order: Lepidoptera
Rank: Species
Family: Nymphalidae
Phylum: Arthropoda
Common Mormon
Papilio Nephelus
Papilio Nephelus
Papilio nephelus is a species of swallowtail butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. Subspecies include P. n. chaon, the yellow Helen, and P. n. sunatus, the black and white Helen.
Scientific name: Papilio nephelus
Phylum: Arthropoda
Higher classification: Swallowtails
Order: Lepidoptera
Rank: Species
Scientific name: Papilio nephelus
Phylum: Arthropoda
Higher classification: Swallowtails
Order: Lepidoptera
Rank: Species
Kallima inachus
Dead Leaf Butterfly
Dead Leaf Butterfly
Shot at Chestnut Nature
Kallima inachus, the orange oakleaf, Indian oakleaf or dead leaf, is a nymphalid butterfly found in Tropical Asia from India to Japan. With wings closed, it closely resembles a dry leaf with dark veins and is a spectacular and commonly cited example of camouflage.
Kingdom: Animalia
Scientific name: Kallima inachus
Higher classification: Oak leaf butterflies
Phylum: Arthropoda
Order: Lepidoptera
Kingdom: Animalia
Scientific name: Kallima inachus
Higher classification: Oak leaf butterflies
Phylum: Arthropoda
Order: Lepidoptera
Common Bluebottle
Graphium sarpedon, the common bluebottle or blue triangle in Australia, is a species of swallowtail butterfly, that is found in South and Southeast Asia, as well as eastern Australia. There are approximately sixteen subspecies with differing geographical distributions.
Upperside opaque black. Forewings and hindwings crossed from above the tornal area on the hindwing to near the apex of the forewing by a semi-hyaline broad pale blue medial band which is broadest in the middle, more or less greenish and macular anteriorly; the portion of the band that crosses interspaces 6, 7 and 8 on the hindwing white; beyond the band on the hindwing there is a sub-terminal line of blue slender lunules.
Underside similar, ground colour dark brown. Hindwing: a short comparatively broad sub-basal band from costa to sub-costal vein, and the postdiscal area between the medial blue band and the sub-terminal lunules velvety black traversed by the pale veins and transversely, except in interspaces 6 and 7, by narrow crimson lines; lastly, a crimson spot near the tornal angle with an admarginal yellowish-white spot below it.
Antenna, head, thorax and abdomen brown, the head and thorax suffused with greenish grey; beneath: the palpi, thorax and abdomen touched with dingy white, the abdomen with two whitish lateral lines.
Male has abdominal fold within grey, furnished with a tuft of long, somewhat stiff white hairs.
Race teredon, Felder. (South India and Sri Lanka) is distinguishable in both sexes by the narrower medial band that crosses both forewing and hindwing. Colour brighter, the contrast between the green of the upper and the blue of the lower portion of the medial band more vivid. Hindwing more produced posteriorly at apex of vein 3, where it forms an elongate tooth or short tail.
Variously reported with wingspans between 55 and 75 mm, the common bluebottle has black upper wings and brown lower wings. Both forewings and hindwings are marked by a central spot in the form of a blue or blue-green triangle, with apex pointing toward the body.
Graphium sarpedon is primarily an inhabitant of moist, low-level rain forests (below 1600 m (5000 ft)). In these elevations it is usually seen flying just above the tree canopy.
The larvae of the common bluebottle feed on trees of the laurel family, which includes the cinnamon tree, and have expanded their range to include cinnamon tree plantations. In eastern Australia, they have adapted to a drier subtropical environment, and are commonly seen in suburban gardens in Queensland and New South Wales.
The males are known for their habit of feeding by the edges of puddles, often at the roadside. Occasionally, as many as eight will be seen at the same puddle. They have also been known to be attracted to animal droppings, carcasses and rotting insects.
It has been recorded as a migrant in South India and is known to mud-puddle during migration. The butterfly has been seen as comprising as much as 5% of the population of migrating butterflies during a 72-hour period in the Nilgiri hills.
The common bluebottle is known for quick flight and rapid reactions. Consequently, it is difficult to catch.
The adult common bluebottle feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering herbs. The larvae feed primarily on the leaves of trees in the families Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae, and Rutaceae. In particular, G.s. sarpedon and G.s. teredon often feed on leaves of the cinnamon bark tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) or of the Indian laurel (Litsea sebifera).
The common blue bottle egg is yellowish, laid singly on the leaves of a host plant.
The Larva when young, is black or dark green, with numerous spines; when full grown, it is green with a short spines on each thoracic segment and anal segment.
There is a transverse yellow band on the 4th segment and a lateral band on the body. The caterpillar usually lies on the centre of a leaf on an upper surface. It is very sluggish and pupates near its feeding spot.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Graphium
Species: G. sarpedon
Binomial name Graphium sarpedon
Upperside opaque black. Forewings and hindwings crossed from above the tornal area on the hindwing to near the apex of the forewing by a semi-hyaline broad pale blue medial band which is broadest in the middle, more or less greenish and macular anteriorly; the portion of the band that crosses interspaces 6, 7 and 8 on the hindwing white; beyond the band on the hindwing there is a sub-terminal line of blue slender lunules.
Underside similar, ground colour dark brown. Hindwing: a short comparatively broad sub-basal band from costa to sub-costal vein, and the postdiscal area between the medial blue band and the sub-terminal lunules velvety black traversed by the pale veins and transversely, except in interspaces 6 and 7, by narrow crimson lines; lastly, a crimson spot near the tornal angle with an admarginal yellowish-white spot below it.
Antenna, head, thorax and abdomen brown, the head and thorax suffused with greenish grey; beneath: the palpi, thorax and abdomen touched with dingy white, the abdomen with two whitish lateral lines.
Male has abdominal fold within grey, furnished with a tuft of long, somewhat stiff white hairs.
Race teredon, Felder. (South India and Sri Lanka) is distinguishable in both sexes by the narrower medial band that crosses both forewing and hindwing. Colour brighter, the contrast between the green of the upper and the blue of the lower portion of the medial band more vivid. Hindwing more produced posteriorly at apex of vein 3, where it forms an elongate tooth or short tail.
Variously reported with wingspans between 55 and 75 mm, the common bluebottle has black upper wings and brown lower wings. Both forewings and hindwings are marked by a central spot in the form of a blue or blue-green triangle, with apex pointing toward the body.
Graphium sarpedon is primarily an inhabitant of moist, low-level rain forests (below 1600 m (5000 ft)). In these elevations it is usually seen flying just above the tree canopy.
The larvae of the common bluebottle feed on trees of the laurel family, which includes the cinnamon tree, and have expanded their range to include cinnamon tree plantations. In eastern Australia, they have adapted to a drier subtropical environment, and are commonly seen in suburban gardens in Queensland and New South Wales.
The males are known for their habit of feeding by the edges of puddles, often at the roadside. Occasionally, as many as eight will be seen at the same puddle. They have also been known to be attracted to animal droppings, carcasses and rotting insects.
It has been recorded as a migrant in South India and is known to mud-puddle during migration. The butterfly has been seen as comprising as much as 5% of the population of migrating butterflies during a 72-hour period in the Nilgiri hills.
The common bluebottle is known for quick flight and rapid reactions. Consequently, it is difficult to catch.
The adult common bluebottle feeds on nectar from a variety of flowering herbs. The larvae feed primarily on the leaves of trees in the families Lauraceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae, and Rutaceae. In particular, G.s. sarpedon and G.s. teredon often feed on leaves of the cinnamon bark tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) or of the Indian laurel (Litsea sebifera).
The common blue bottle egg is yellowish, laid singly on the leaves of a host plant.
The Larva when young, is black or dark green, with numerous spines; when full grown, it is green with a short spines on each thoracic segment and anal segment.
There is a transverse yellow band on the 4th segment and a lateral band on the body. The caterpillar usually lies on the centre of a leaf on an upper surface. It is very sluggish and pupates near its feeding spot.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Graphium
Species: G. sarpedon
Binomial name Graphium sarpedon
Tanaecia pelea
Tanaecia pelea, the Malay viscount, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Tanaecia pelea has a wingspan of about 65–70 millimetres (2.6–2.8 in). The basic colour of the upper wings is pale brown with pearly-bluish edges. It has dark brown marking on the basal area and a discal series of dark brown-edged hastate (spear-shaped) markings.
It is found in Singapore, mainland Malaysia, Borneo, Nias and Pulau Tioman.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Tanaecia
Species: T. pelea
Binomial nameTanaecia pelea
Tanaecia pelea has a wingspan of about 65–70 millimetres (2.6–2.8 in). The basic colour of the upper wings is pale brown with pearly-bluish edges. It has dark brown marking on the basal area and a discal series of dark brown-edged hastate (spear-shaped) markings.
It is found in Singapore, mainland Malaysia, Borneo, Nias and Pulau Tioman.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Tanaecia
Species: T. pelea
Binomial nameTanaecia pelea
Lexias Pardalis
Common Archduke
Common Archduke
Lexias pardalis, the common archduke, is a butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Lexias pardalis prefer paths, clearings and edges of primary forests and they are easily sighted in sunny areas standing on the forest floor.
Lexias pardalis has a wingspan reaching about 80–90 millimetres (3.1–3.5 in). This species exhibits a strong sexual dimorphism, with very different pattern and colour.
The upperside of the wings of the male are black with shimmering greenish-blue margins, especially in the hindwings.
The uppersides of the cryptic wings of the larger females are dark brown with several rows of yellow spots, a pale green pattern on the lower wings. The wing pattern of yellow spots continue across the thorax and the abdomen.
The undersides in the males are brownish with whitish spots, while in the female the forewings are dark brown and the hindwings are pale bluish green, with whitish spots in both wings. The apical portion of the antennae are yellow orange in both sexes, while in the very similar species Lexias dirtea the clubs are black.
Larvae feed on Cratoxylum formosum and Cratoxylum cochinchinense, while adults mainly feed on rotting fruits, especially in the genus Garcinia, but also on nectar of flowers. Caterpillars of the last instars are pale green and have many spines radiating from the body. Also the chrysalis is pale green.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Limenitidinae
Tribe: Adoliadini
Genus: Lexias
Species: L. pardalis
Binomial name Lexias pardalis
Lexias pardalis prefer paths, clearings and edges of primary forests and they are easily sighted in sunny areas standing on the forest floor.
Lexias pardalis has a wingspan reaching about 80–90 millimetres (3.1–3.5 in). This species exhibits a strong sexual dimorphism, with very different pattern and colour.
The upperside of the wings of the male are black with shimmering greenish-blue margins, especially in the hindwings.
The uppersides of the cryptic wings of the larger females are dark brown with several rows of yellow spots, a pale green pattern on the lower wings. The wing pattern of yellow spots continue across the thorax and the abdomen.
The undersides in the males are brownish with whitish spots, while in the female the forewings are dark brown and the hindwings are pale bluish green, with whitish spots in both wings. The apical portion of the antennae are yellow orange in both sexes, while in the very similar species Lexias dirtea the clubs are black.
Larvae feed on Cratoxylum formosum and Cratoxylum cochinchinense, while adults mainly feed on rotting fruits, especially in the genus Garcinia, but also on nectar of flowers. Caterpillars of the last instars are pale green and have many spines radiating from the body. Also the chrysalis is pale green.
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Subfamily: Limenitidinae
Tribe: Adoliadini
Genus: Lexias
Species: L. pardalis
Binomial name Lexias pardalis
Female
Lexias dirtea
Black Tipped Archduke
Black Tipped Archduke
The archdukes are a genus, Lexias, of tropical forest-dwelling butterflies that are common throughout Southeast Asia and Australasia.
Members of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae, the genus is represented by about 17 species. Two very similar and coexisting genera are Tanaecia (the viscounts and earls) and Euthalia (the barons and counts), the latter previously including some Lexias species. The largest species reach a wingspan of about 10 cm (4 in).
Lexias pardalis and L. dirtea are also among the most colourful archdukes.
Sexual dichromatism is however extreme, with the two sexes appearing entirely different.
The males' dorsal wing surfaces are a dramatic combination of velvety black forewings and metallic blue green to violet covering the margins of the forewings and hindwings.
The females' dorsal wing surfaces are a drab brown, with small yellowish white spots.
Both sexes have drab ventral wings, presumably as a means of camouflage. The dramatic colours of the males are thought to play a role in intraspecies communication, both by signalling to other males when defending territory, and by attracting females.
L. pardalis and L. dirtea, two commonly farmed species, are nearly identical and often confused, but they can be distinguished by their differing antennae: the dorsal surface of L. pardalis' antennae tips are yellow orange, whereas they are black in L. dirtea.
Lexias dirtea, the archduke, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Lexias dirtea has a wingspan of about 80–100 millimetres (3.1–3.9 in). In this species sexual dichromatism is extreme.
In males the uppersides of the wings are mainly velvety black, with metallic blue green on the margins, while in the females the uppersides of the wings are mainly brownish, covered by several rows of yellowish-whitish spots.
This species can be found in India, Burma, Northern Thailand, southern China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines, It lives primarily in virgin swamp forests.
Domain : Eukaryota
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : bLexias
Species : L. dirtea
Binomial name Lexias dirtea
Fabricius, 1793
Synonyms
Euthalia dirtea (Fabricius, 1793)
Papilio dirtea Fabricius, 1793
Members of the brush-footed butterfly family Nymphalidae, the genus is represented by about 17 species. Two very similar and coexisting genera are Tanaecia (the viscounts and earls) and Euthalia (the barons and counts), the latter previously including some Lexias species. The largest species reach a wingspan of about 10 cm (4 in).
Lexias pardalis and L. dirtea are also among the most colourful archdukes.
Sexual dichromatism is however extreme, with the two sexes appearing entirely different.
The males' dorsal wing surfaces are a dramatic combination of velvety black forewings and metallic blue green to violet covering the margins of the forewings and hindwings.
The females' dorsal wing surfaces are a drab brown, with small yellowish white spots.
Both sexes have drab ventral wings, presumably as a means of camouflage. The dramatic colours of the males are thought to play a role in intraspecies communication, both by signalling to other males when defending territory, and by attracting females.
L. pardalis and L. dirtea, two commonly farmed species, are nearly identical and often confused, but they can be distinguished by their differing antennae: the dorsal surface of L. pardalis' antennae tips are yellow orange, whereas they are black in L. dirtea.
Lexias dirtea, the archduke, is a species of butterfly of the family Nymphalidae.
Lexias dirtea has a wingspan of about 80–100 millimetres (3.1–3.9 in). In this species sexual dichromatism is extreme.
In males the uppersides of the wings are mainly velvety black, with metallic blue green on the margins, while in the females the uppersides of the wings are mainly brownish, covered by several rows of yellowish-whitish spots.
This species can be found in India, Burma, Northern Thailand, southern China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the Philippines, It lives primarily in virgin swamp forests.
Domain : Eukaryota
Kingdom : Animalia
Phylum : Arthropoda
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Nymphalidae
Genus : bLexias
Species : L. dirtea
Binomial name Lexias dirtea
Fabricius, 1793
Synonyms
Euthalia dirtea (Fabricius, 1793)
Papilio dirtea Fabricius, 1793
Eooxylides tharis
The branded imperial
The branded imperial
Eooxylides tharis, the branded imperial, is a butterfly in the family Lycaenidae. It was described by Carl Geyer in 1837. It is found in the Indomalayan realm.
This Lycaenid has a reddish-orange underside, the forewing unmarked, and the hindwing with large black submarginal spots on the white tornal area.
The hindwings bear one long and two short tails.
The Branded Imperial is somewhat local in distribution, but is usually found in small numbers. It favours forest pathways at all elevations. The caterpillar feeds on Smilax bracteata, which is a common forest vine.
This butterfly food sources include bird droppings and aphid secretions. Once settled they are usually reluctant to move, and oblivious to human disturbance, particularly if they are feeding.
Males are commonly found in small groups of about 3 or 4 on the stems of bushes in shady areas of disturbed forest, having been attracted by the sweet "honey-dew" secretions produced by aphids and membracids. At such sites there are invariably at least a dozen ants sharing their meal, but the ants do not molest the butterflies, which are possibly protected by their chemical properties. When feeding they habitually walk around the stems, each butterfly slowly rotating on its own axis as it avidly probes the sugary secretions with its proboscis.
Females are usually encountered singly, when searching for oviposition sites.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Eooxylides
Species: E. tharis
Binomial name: Eooxylides tharis
This Lycaenid has a reddish-orange underside, the forewing unmarked, and the hindwing with large black submarginal spots on the white tornal area.
The hindwings bear one long and two short tails.
The Branded Imperial is somewhat local in distribution, but is usually found in small numbers. It favours forest pathways at all elevations. The caterpillar feeds on Smilax bracteata, which is a common forest vine.
This butterfly food sources include bird droppings and aphid secretions. Once settled they are usually reluctant to move, and oblivious to human disturbance, particularly if they are feeding.
Males are commonly found in small groups of about 3 or 4 on the stems of bushes in shady areas of disturbed forest, having been attracted by the sweet "honey-dew" secretions produced by aphids and membracids. At such sites there are invariably at least a dozen ants sharing their meal, but the ants do not molest the butterflies, which are possibly protected by their chemical properties. When feeding they habitually walk around the stems, each butterfly slowly rotating on its own axis as it avidly probes the sugary secretions with its proboscis.
Females are usually encountered singly, when searching for oviposition sites.
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Eooxylides
Species: E. tharis
Binomial name: Eooxylides tharis
Neptis hylas
The common sailor
The common sailor
Neptis hylas, the common sailor, is a species of nymphalid butterfly found in the Indian subcontinent and southeast Asia. It has a characteristic stiff gliding flight achieved by short and shallow wingbeats just above the horizontal.Wikipedia
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Neptis
Species: N. hylas
Binomial name Neptis hylas
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Nymphalidae
Genus: Neptis
Species: N. hylas
Binomial name Neptis hylas
Cigaritis syama
Cigaritis is a genus of butterflies in the family Lycaenidae. Its species are found in the Afrotropical realm, the Indomalayan realm and adjacent regions of Asia.
Cigaritis syama, the club silverline, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South-East Asia.
The wingspan is 27–32 mm. The larvae feed on Psidium guajava and Dioscorea batatus. Wikipedia
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Cigaritis
Species: C. syama
Binomial name Cigaritis syama
Cigaritis syama, the club silverline, is a butterfly of the family Lycaenidae. It is found in South-East Asia.
The wingspan is 27–32 mm. The larvae feed on Psidium guajava and Dioscorea batatus. Wikipedia
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Lycaenidae
Genus: Cigaritis
Species: C. syama
Binomial name Cigaritis syama