Cruria donowani (Boisduval, 1832)
(erroneously: Agarista donovanii)
 AGARISTINAE ,   NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Ian F.B. Common & Stella Crossley

Cruria donowani
(Drawing based on: Moths of Australia)

This Caterpillar is banded with black,white and brown. The black rings are uninterrupted by white, so differing from caterpillars of the related Cruria synopla. The caterpillar has been known to feed on :

  • Hagweeds ( Boerhavia species, NYCTAGINACEAE ), and
  • Kangaroo Vines ( Cissus species, VITACEAE ).

    Cruria donowani
    (Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

    The adult moth is black, with white spots on the forewings and a diagonal white bar across each hindwing. The moths have a wingspan of about 5 cms. The moths are unusual in that they are on the wing in daytime, like butterflies, and unlike moths from most other families.

    Cruria donowani
    underside
    (Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

    The species closely resembles Cruria synopla, but the central white spot on each forewing is smaller, and the hindwing bar is whiter and more ragged.

    Cruria donowani
    (Photo: courtesy of Ken Harris, Morwell Park, Victoria)

    The species is found in

  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales, and
  • Victoria.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 32.11, p. 464.

    John T. Moss, Life history notes on the day-flying moth Cruria synopla Turner, 1903 and its distinction from C. donowani (Boisduval, 1832) (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae),
    Metamorphosis Issue 39 (December 2010) pp.4-8.

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    (updated 11 April 2011)