Cyclotorna diplocentra Turner, 1913
 CYCLOTORNIDAE,   ZYGAENOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Cyclotorna diplocentra
(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 two dark spots on each forewing. The wingspan is about 3 cms.

    The moth has been found in Australia in

  • Queensland, and
  • New South Wales.

    Further reading :

    A. Jefferis Turner,
    Studies in Australian Microlepidoptera,
    Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales,
    Volume 38 (1913), p. 195.

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    (written 1 April 2017)