Leucinodes cordalis

Leucinodes cordalis, the poroporo fruit borer or eggfruit caterpillar, is a species of moth in the family Crambidae. It is found in New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia (Sulawesi).[1] In Australia, it has been reported from Norfolk Island, the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The species was first described by Henry Doubleday in 1843.

Dorsal view

Ventral view

Leucinodes cordalis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Crambidae
Genus:	Leucinodes
Species:	L. cordalis
Binomial name
Leucinodes cordalis (Doubleday, 1843)
Synonyms
Margaritia cordalis Doubleday, 1843 Sceliodes cordalis Daraba extensalis Walker, 1866 Eretria obsistalis Snellen, 1880 Sceliodes mucidalis Guenée, 1854

The length of the forewings is 13.5–15 mm. The forewings are off white with brown tips, as well as a pattern of pale brown blotches.[2] There are two generations per year in New Zealand. In Australia, there may be more generations.

The larvae feed on Solanum melongena, Solanum muricatum, Solanum aviculare, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum esuriale, Solanum americanum, Solanum tuberosum, Capsicum annuum, Datura wrightii and Datura stramonium. They bore into the fruit of their host plant and feed on the flesh and seeds.[3] The larvae are bright pink and reach a length of about 20 mm.