Euproctis arrogans

Euproctis arrogans (T.P. Lucas, 1900)
(previously known as Nygmia arrogans)
LYMANTRIINAE, EREBIDAE, NOCTUOIDEA

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

Euproctis arrogans
early instars
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

The early instars of this species are yellow and hairy. They have a dark brown head, and dark brown first and last abdominal segments.

middle instar
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

Later instars become black with pairs of white markings on the back of the thorax and the abdominal segments, except that segments 1, 2, and 8 develop black tufts. The head is dark brown, and is often tucked under the thorax.

Late instar
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

The caterpillars have been found feeding on

Timon Tree (Timonius timon. RUBIACEAE).

Final instar
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

Final instars develop pairs of warts on the back of each segment with pale hairs, with larger warts and darker hairs on the first two segents.

partly opened cocoon showing pupa
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

The caterpillars grow to a length of about 6 cms. They pupate in a loose cocoon in a curled leaf of the food plant.

mating pair (Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

The adult moth has orange-brown forewings each with a shaded marginal half. The scales are only loosely held on the wings, so some specimens have pale marks where scales have rubbed off. The hindwings are paler than the forewings. The female moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms. The male moth has a wingspan of about 4 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

Some specimens have two faint pale lines across each forewing. The hindwings are paler than the forewings. The moth has a wingspan of about 5 cms.

underside
(Photo: courtesy of Graeme Cocks, Townsville, Queensland)

The species has been found in:

Queensland.

egg mass, showing an uncovered egg
(Photo: courtesy of Annabel Taylor, Hillsborough, Queensland)

The eggs are white spheres, each with a dimple in the top, and have a diameter of about 0.5 mm. They are laid on any convenient surface, about a dozen at a time, in a line, and are covered in brown abdominal hairs by the female.