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Identity

Eudocima phalonia belongs to the Erebidae. The name Eudocima fullonia, also used in the combination Othreis fullonia, refers to the same species in the nomenclatural treatment of Borth and Kons. Their 2022 revision recognizes the superficially similar African Eudocima afrikana as a separate species. [1]

Morphology and identification

Australian males have relatively subdued brown forewings; females show a more strongly patterned surface with a small pale triangular mark linked to a cross-wing streak. Both sexes have yellow-orange hindwings with a broad dark border and a conspicuous comma-shaped central mark. Blue patches on the labial palps add colour to the head. [2]

Distribution and habitat

The revised range extends from India through the Indo-Australian region and Pacific islands east to Hawaii. In Australia, adults move between breeding sites and fruit orchards. [1]

Life cycle

The caterpillars vary from orange-brown to dark brown or black, with white speckling, orange lateral patches and paired eyespots behind the thorax. Disturbed larvae can tuck the head beneath the body while raising the posterior end, exposing the eyespots. [2]

Feeding and host plants

Adults use a hardened proboscis to pierce fruit skin and take juice, damaging fruit including citrus, mango and guava. Australian host plants include Menispermaceae vines such as Tinospora smilacina and Stephania japonica; New Caledonian populations also develop on the coral trees Erythrina variegata and E. fusca. [3]

Distinctive biology

A chemical-ecology study tested excised antennae from Australian and New Caledonian moths. Antennae from both populations responded electrically to plant volatiles including linalool, nonanal and decanal. Other responses differed between populations. [3]

Specimen interpretation

The underside of Australian specimens carries a yellow diagonal band across the forewing, while the hindwing retains its dark comma and border. Fijian males include a darker ventral form with a reduced central hindwing patch. DNA sequences and a genital examination reported in the 2022 revision support treating this form as variation within Eudocima phalonia. [2][1]