Paralacydes maculifascia (Walker, 1855)
 (formerly known as Spilosoma maculifascia)
ARCTIINI,   ARCTIINAE,   EREBIDAE,   NOCTUOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Paralacydes maculifascia
(Photo: courtesy of Jim Foster, taken at Malanda, Queensland)

These caterpillars have been reported to feed on the foliage of:

  • Bindweed ( Convolvulus, CONVOLVULACEAE ),
  • Yam ( Dioscorea oppositifolia, DIOSCOREACEAE ), and
  • Coral Trees ( Erythrina, FABACEAE ).

    Paralacydes maculifascia
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The adult moths have white forewings with black markings. The hind wings are also white with several round black spots. The body is scarlet on top. The wingspan is up to 3 cms.

    Paralacydes maculifascia
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

    The species has been found in

  • Java,

    as well as in Australia in:

  • Western Australia, and
  • Queensland.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pl. 19.14, p. 435.

    Buck Richardson,
    Tropical Queensland Wildlife from Dusk to Dawn Science and Art,
    LeapFrogOz, Kuranda, 2015, p. 16.

    Francis Walker,
    Lepidoptera Heterocera,
    List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum,
    Part 3 (1855), p. 676.

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    (updated 18 August 2012, 10 February 2013, 27 January 2016)