Agathodes ostentalis

Agathodes ostentalis (Geyer, 1837)
SPILOMELINI , PYRAUSTINAE , CRAMBIDAE

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

(Photo: courtesy of David Mohn,, Chinese Christian Seminary, Hong Kong)

The Caterpillars of this species are dark brown with a yellow dorsolateral line along each side, and a pale brown head. They live in webbed shelters made with silk on the young shoots of their foodplant. They have been found feeding on the foliage of:

Kolkata ( Erythrina indica, FABACEAE ), and

Coral Tree ( Erythrina vespertillio, FABACEAE ).

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

The adult moths are very attractive, with pink, brown, and white markings on the forewings, and cream coloured hindwings. They have a curious resting posture, with the wings swept back, and the abdomen curled upward.

The pheromones of this species have been determined.

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

The species is found from India to Indonesia, including :

Hong Kong,

Japan,

Thailand,
and in Australia in:

New South Wales, and

Queensland.