Erebus terminitincta

Erebus terminitincta (Gaede, 1938)
(previously known as : Nyctipao terminitincta)
CATOCALINAE , NOCTUIDAE

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

early instar, magnified
(Photo: courtesy of Craig Nieminski, Darwin)

Initially this caterpillar is patchy brown with orange knobs sticking out of the back and sides. There are some white marks on the last two segments. The caterpillar is missing 2 pairs of prolegs. The caterpillars have been found feeding on

Lawyer Vine ( Smilax australis SMILACACEAE ).

later instar
(Photo: courtesy of Craig Nieminski, Darwin)

Later instars have orange spots along the sides and still have some orange dorsal appendages.

last instar
(Photo: courtesy of Craig Nieminski, Darwin)

The mature caterpillar is a patchy brown, and its head and true legs are a rusty brown colour. Only the first abdominal segment has a pair of orange spots.

cocoon
(Photo: courtesy of Craig Nieminski, Darwin)

The cocoon is dense and made of pale brown silk. It is created amongst the dead leaves and stems of the foodplant.

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

The adult moths have dark brown wings, with a ragged white arc across each wing. There is an eyespot on each forewing, and a white mark at the apex of each hindwing.

(Photo: courtesy of Craig Nieminski, Darwin)

The species occurs in:

New South Wales,

Queensland, and

Northern Territory.