Coenotes eremophilae

Coenotes eremophilae (T.P.Lucas, 1891)
(one synonym : Protoparce minimus)
SMERINTHINAE , SPHINGIDAE

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

Coenotes eremophilae
(Photo: courtesy of John Collins, Kimberley)

The Caterpillars of this species are black with a white stripe along each side, a yellow dorsal stripe, lots of little pale dots, and a row of orange spiracles along each side. On the tail, they have an entirely black curved horn. They feed for preference on plants from the familiy MYOPORACEAE such as :

Eremophila bowmanii,

Rock Fuchsia Bush ( Eremophila freelingii ),

Warty Fuchsia Bush, ( Eremophila latrobei ),

Emu Bush, ( Eremophila longifolia ),

Turpentine Bush ( Eremophila sturtii ),

Budda ( Eremophila mitchellii ),

Ellangowan ( Myoporum deserti ), and

Boobialla ( Myoporum montanum ),

but also have been found on a variety of other plants, including :

Currant Bush ( Carissa lanceolata, APOCYNACEAE ),

Helicopter Tree ( Gyrocarpus americanus, HERNANDIACEAE ),

Mint Bush ( Prostanthera striatiflora, LAMIACEAE ),

Yellow Hibiscus ( Hibiscus panduriformis, MALVACEAE ),

Mimosa Bush ( Acacia farnesitana, MIMOSACEAE ),

Sesame ( Sesamum indicum, PEDALIACEAE ),

Sweet Quandong ( Santalum acuminatum, SANTALACEAE ),

Corkwood ( Duboisia myoporoides , SOLANACEAE ), and

Lolly Bush ( Clerodendrum floribundum, VERBENACEAE ).

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The adult moths of this species have very boring fawn wings, and a pattern of diagonal and transverse dark marks on the abdomen. They have a wingspan of about 5 cms.

The species is found over the inland northern half of Australia, including:

Northern Territory,

Queensland, and

Western Australia.