Mocis frugalis Fabricius, 1775
Sugarcane Looper
(one synonym : Chalciope lycopodia)
 CATOCALINAE ,   NOCTUIDAE

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


(Photo: courtesy of Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations, Bundaberg)

These Caterpillars are pale green or yellow, with two black bands behind the thorax. They are missing a pair of ventral prolegs, and so they move in a looper fashion.

The Caterpillars are an agricultural pest on:

  • Oats ( Avena species, POACEAE ),
  • Sugar Cane ( Saccharum officinarum, POACEAE ), and
  • various Grasses ( POACEAE ).

    The Caterpillars pupate in a cocoon in a twisted leaf.

    The adult moth is brown with a diagonal dark line with a pale edge across each forewing.


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

    The adult females appear to have hairy fans beside the head which can be opened.


    female with fans extended
    (Photo: courtesy of John Stumm)

    These fans probably to disperse pheromones to attract males.


    close up of the fans
    (Photo: courtesy of John Stumm)

    The species is found across Africa and Asia, including :

  • India,
    as well as
  • Northern Territory, and
  • Queensland
    in Australia.

    Further reading :

    J.R. Agnew (ed.), Australian Sugarcane Pests, Bureau of the Sugar Experiment Stations (Indooroopilly) 1997, pp. 54-55.

    Ian F.B. Common, Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 65, 452.

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    (updated 21 September 2008)