General Description
Black forewings divided by cream lines into two large and two small triangles. Hindwings with a yellow patch on the bottom inside corner and a yellow spot above it on the trailing edge. Chest section (thorax) black with two white crosswise lines. Abdomen black with six yellow bands. Wingspan 4-4.5 cm.
Biology
Caterpillars feed on Sweet-scented Marsdenia, Marsdenia suaveolens. Though not well known in Victoria, this moth is attracted to light and can be observed wherever the food plant is found.
Distribution
Found in rainforests from central Queensland to south-eastern Victoria as far as the Mitchell River National Park.
Habitat
Found in warm temperate rainforest gullies.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
A large black moth with cream, angular lines on the forewings and two or three yellow patches on the hindwing.
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Colours
Black, Cream, Yellow
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Maximum Size
4.5 cm
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Habitats
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Diet
Herbivore
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Flight Start
November
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Flight End
January
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Pfitzner, 1805)
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Common Name
Noctuid moth
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Other Names
Owlet moth
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Kingdom
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Order
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Species Name
ostorius
