Euproctis melanosoma

Euproctis melanosoma is a species of moth of the family Erebidae. It is known from New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria.

Euproctis melanosoma
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Genus: Euproctis
Species:
E. melanosoma
Binomial name
Euproctis melanosoma
(Butler, 1882)[1]
Synonyms
  • Porthesia melanosoma Butler, 1882
  • Porthesia mixta Butler, 1882
  • Porthesia melainfera Strand, 1923
  • Porthesia melaninfera Strand, 1923

The wingspan is about 30 mm. Adults are completely white, except for the black compound eyes and some brown hairs along the inner margins of the forewings. The abdomen starts white, but often becomes black. There is a yellow tuft on the tail of the females.[2]

The larvae feed on the leaves and flowers of various plants, including Sechium edule, Quercus species, Pelargonium x zonale, Dietes grandiflora, Lophostemon confertus, Poaceae species, Rosa odorata and Vitis vinifera. They are black and hairy, with two bright red spots on the back. Full-grown larvae are about 30 mm long. Pupation takes place in a thin brown cocoon under a leaf or petal of the foodplant.

References
  1. Australian Faunal Directory
  2. "Australian Insects". Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-03-07.


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