Dot-underwing | |
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Male | |
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Female | |
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Species: | E. materna
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Binomial name | |
Eudocima materna Linnaeus, 1767
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Eudocima materna, known as dot-underwing moth[1], is a moth of the Noctuidae family found in large parts of the world, mainly in tropical Asia extending to New Guinea and Australia. Reports from the United States, Canada and the French Antilles are now considered to be Eudocima apta. Like his common name, the species can clearly identified by other Eudocima moths, by the presence of small central black dot in each hind wing.
The wingspan is about 60 mm.
The larvae feed on Menispermaceae species, including Tinospora smilacina and Legnephora moorei. It is considered a pest on citrus and other fruit, which it damages by piercing the fruit with its proboscis in order to suck the juice.
Some older authors have considered Eudocima apta as a synonym of E. materna but more recent workers consider apta as a New World species that is very similar in appearance to materna.[2]