Speiredonia mutabilis (Fabricius, 1794)
(one synonym: Sericia anops Guenee, 1852)
CATOCALINAE ,   NOCTUIDAE

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

(updated 16 August 2008)


(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

These caterpillars of this species have been observed feeding on:

  • Wattle ( Acacia, MIMOSACEAE ).

    The adult moths have brown wings. On top they have a complex pattern of dark lines and areas with a purple tinge. Underneather they are a plain flat brown. They have a wingspan of about 7 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

    The moths favour dark places, such as caves, to rest during daylight hours, but suffer predation by bats in these places.


    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Ian McMillan, Imbil, Queensland)

    The species is often confused with Eudesmeola lawsoni, but the undersides are quite different.

    The species has been found in:

  • Fiji

    as well as

  • New South Wales, and
  • Queensland

    in Australia.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 451.


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