Fruit Piercer Moth (Noctuidae Catocalinae Eudocima phalonia - Clerck, 1764)

A 4th instar larva was found at Braemar Hill, North Point, Hong Kong on June 26, 2000.  Additionally, some ova was found on September 24, 2001 at Quarry Bay Country Park.  The pictures below from 4th instar on are of the first larva; the ones from ovum to 3rd instar are from the second larva.  The nomenclature for this species used to be Othreis fullonia.  The larvae have only been found so far on Tinospora sinensis, a vine with large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves,


Ovum and newly hatched larva
The ovum was about 1.3 mm / 0.05 inch diameter

The initial and final 2nd instar form
The left image was on Sept 27th; the right image was on Oct 3rd, 2001.
Development and growth was quite rapid.

3rd instar; Oct. 8, 2001


3rd instar on the left; 4th instar on the right;
Final length was about 7 cm / 2.8 inches.

The loose cocoon was formed inside a folded-over leaf pocket of its food plant on July 12, 2000


Ventral and dorsal views of moth in rest posture.
The moth eclosed on Aug 15, 2000.



Top and Underside views of the moth
Wingspan was about 8.7 cm / 3.4 inches
 
 

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