Cyclotorna ementita Meyrick, 1921
 CYCLOTORNIDAE,   ZYGAENOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Cyclotorna ementita
(Photo: courtesy of CSIRO/BIO Photography Group, Centre for Biodiversity Genomics, University of Guelph)

The caterpillars of this species are thought to be carnivorous, feeding initially on

  • Leaf Hoppers ( CICADELLIDAE ), and
  • Scale Insects ( COCCOIDEA ),

    and later on the larvae and pupae of

  • Ants ( FORMICIDAE ).

    The caterpillars are thought to emit a kairomone that induces ants to take the caterpillars into the ants' nest.

    Adult moths have dark brown wings, with some dark spots on each forewing. The wingspan is about 2 cms.

    The moth has been found in Australia in

  • Queensland, and
  • South Australia.

    Further reading :

    Edward Meyrick,
    Exotic Microlepidoptera,
    Volume 2 (1920), p. 463.

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    (written 2 April 2017, updated 20 May 2021)