Crested Nadiasa
Common NameCrested Nadiasa
Scientific NameNadiasa cristata
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyLymantriinae
Wingspan (mm)40
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, orange, white
HabitatFynbos, Karoo, grasslands, open woodlands
Geographic RangeSouthern Africa (e.g., South Africa, Namibia)
Host PlantsErica, Rhus, Diospyros, Olea
Flight PeriodOctober to April (Southern Hemisphere summer)
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLike most moths, it undergoes complete metamorphosis. Larvae are typically hairy and feed on various shrubs and trees before pupating and emerging as adults.
Identification TipsKey identification features include the prominent crest of scales on the thorax, the stout furry body, and the distinctive wavy white line across the brown and orange forewings.
Description
This is a stout-bodied moth with a furry, greyish-brown thorax featuring a prominent crest of scales. Its forewings are a mix of rich brown and orange-brown, marked by a distinct wavy white line that separates the darker basal area from the lighter outer margin.
