Pantydia sparsa Guenée, 1852
(one synonym : Toxocampa orthosiodes)
 CATOCALINAE ,   NOCTUIDAE

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

Pantydia sparsa
(Photo: courtesy of Laura Levens, Upper Beaconsfield, Victoria)

The caterpillars of this species have been found feeding on many different plants, including:

  • Alfalfa/Lucerne ( Medicago sativa, FABACEAE ),
  • Egg & Bacon Pea ( Dillwynia ericifolia, FABACEAE ), and
  • Leafless Ballart ( Exocarpos aphyllus, SANTALACEAE ).

    Pantydia sparsa
    (Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

    The adult moth is fawn with variable dark markings, and a line parallel to the margin of each fore wing, and a dark edge to each hind wing. There is a black tear-drop mark near the base of each forewing. The moth also appears to have a black collar around the head. It has a wing span of about 4 cms.

    Pantydia sparsa
    underside
    (Photo: courtesy of Laura Levens, Upper Beaconsfield, Victoria)

    The species has been found in :

  • New Zealand,
    as well as widely in Australia, including:
  • Australian Capital Territory,
  • Norfolk Island,
  • Queensland,
  • South Australia,
  • Tasmania, and
  • Victoria.

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 44.19, p. 450.

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    (updated 10 December 2011)