Eudocima materna

Eudocima materna (Linnaeus, 1767)
(one synonym : Ophideres apta Walker, 1858)
Dot Underwing
CALPINAE, EREBIDAE, NOCTUOIDEA

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

Eudocima materna
Female
(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda, Queensland)

The Caterpillars of this species feed on plants in the Moonseed family ( (MENISPERMACEAE), for example :

Snake Vine ( Tinospora smilacina ), and

Roundleaf Vine ( Legnephora moorei ).

Male
(Photo: courtesy of Linda Reynolds, Broome, Western Australia)

The adult moth has fawn forewings with a variable pattern of pale and dark lines and patches. The hindwings are bright yellow to orange, with a dark spot in the middle and a broad dark border with white spots along the edge.

Female
Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, from
Tropical Queensland Wildlife from Dusk to Dawn Science and Art

The females have an additional white diagonal stripe across each forewing. The moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms.

The species occurs all around the world, particularly :

as well as in Australia in:

Victoria, and

Cuba 1979

Benin 1980

The adult moth is an agricultural pest, attacking fruit. It has a sharp haustellum that it uses to penetrate the fruit in order to suck the juices. After the fruit has been pierced, fungi and other microorganisms can enter the fruit and cause it to rot. The moth is is known to attack many fruits, including:

Pomegranate, and

Control is being attempted using :

catching the moths by hand with a net,

UV light moth trap,

filling the area with smoke,

pheromone traps,

coating fruit with repellant oil,