Eudocima aurantia (Moore, 1877)
(one synonym : Adris rutilus Moore, 1881)
Fruit Sucking Moth
CATOCALINAE ,   NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Stella Crossley


(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville)

The adult moth of this species has brown forewings shaped like leaves, complete with central vein, and a semicircular piece cut out of the inner margin. The vein sometimes has a white spot near the middle/ The hind wings are yellow, each with two large black comma-shaped marks.


(Photo: courtesy of Cris Lane, Bellenden Ker, Queensland)

The species occurs across south-east Asia, from Sri-Lanka to the Solomons, including

  • Sarawak,
  • Sumatra
    and Australia in
  • north Queensland.


    (Photo: courtesy of Neil Hewett ,   Cooper Creek Wilderness, north Queensland)

    The moths are a pest, attacking fruit in order to suck the juice. The puncture in the fruit skin allows microbial organisms to enter the fruit and cause premature rotting. Control is being attempted using :

  • the egg-parasitoid wasp Telenomus lucullus ( SCELIONIDAE ), and
  • the larva-parasitoid wasp Euplectrus melanocephalus ( EULOPHIDAE ).


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 20.11, p. 449.


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    (updated 8 January 2011)