Chlorocoma tetraspila (Lower, 1901)
(one synonym is: Euchloris tetraspila)
 GEOMETRINAE, GEOMETRIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Peter Marriott & Cathy Young & Stella Crossley


early instar
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

When young, these caterpillars are slim reddish-green loopers with a nobbly head and tail.


late instar
(Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

Later on they get a pointed head and red prolegs and claspers. The caterpillars have been found feeding on:

  • Common Aotus ( Aotus ericoides, FABACEAE ).


    close-up of prolegs and claspers of late instar
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The wings of the adult moths of this species are green, making the species a member of the 'Emeralds'.


    female
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    The forewings have recurved margins, and the hindwings each have a definite cusp on the margin, which make it easy to distinguish from the related Emerald Chlorocoma cadmaria.


    male
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

    All four wings have a faint pale wavy line across them, and also have a dark reddish spot in the middle. unlike those of the Emerald Chlorocoma vertumnaria. The moths have a wing span of about 2 cms.

               
    female
         
          male
    (Photos of disembodied moths: copyright Peter Marriott)

    The eggs are pale green, smooth, and ellipsoidal, although they collapse somewhat during development. They are laid singly.


    eggs, magnified
    (Photo: copyright Cathy Young)

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    (updated 16 February 2009)