Callopistria maillardi

Callopistria maillardi (Guenée, 1862)
White Tangle
(previously known as Eriopus maillardi)
ACRONICTINAE, NOCTUIDAE, NOCTUOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

(Photo: courtesy of John Lang, Smithfield, Queensland)

The Caterpillars of this species are dark green, with a dorsal row of white-outlined dark chevrons, each pointing to the head. The anal chevron is slightly larger and more strongly coloured than the rest.

(Photo: courtesy of Scott Gavins, Fraser Coast, Queensland)

The caterpillars have been found feeding on various Ferns (POLYPODIOPHYTA), including :

Swamp Bracken (Hypolepis muelleri)

Maidenhair (Adiantum species), and

Leather Leaf (Nephrolepis species).

(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, Tewantin, Queensland)

The adult moths are brown, with forewings having a pattern of white lines some of which are tufted. The hindwings are plain brown. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

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

This species occurs from Africa across India to the South Pacific, including ,

as well as Australia, including:

Western Australia,

Northern Territory,

Queensland, and

New South Wales.

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

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 48.18, p. 460.

Achille Guenée,
Annex G, Lépidoptères,
in L. Maillard (ed.):
Notes sur l'Île de la Réunion (Bourbon),
Paris : Dentu. (1862) p. 39, and also Plate 22, fig. 8.

Buck Richardson,
Tropical Queensland Wildlife from Dusk to Dawn Science and Art,
LeapFrogOz, Kuranda, 2015, p. 120.

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(updated 11 April 2011, 15 February 2024)