Banyan tussock moth
Common NameBanyan tussock moth
Scientific NamePerina nuda
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyLymantriinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Primary Colorspale yellow, black, iridescent blue
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, orchards, plantations
Geographic RangeSoutheast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Taiwan, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)
Host PlantsFicus benghalensis, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Mangifera indica, Shorea robusta, Terminalia catappa
Flight PeriodYear-round (in tropical regions)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are hairy and often gregarious, feeding on host plant leaves. Pupation occurs in a silken cocoon.
Identification TipsKey features include the stark contrast between the pale, densely scaled forewings and the dark, sparsely scaled, iridescent hindwings. Males possess prominent bipectinate antennae.
Description
A medium-sized moth with a fluffy, pale yellow body and forewings, contrasting sharply with its dark, iridescent, and semi-transparent hindwings.
