Four-spotted Cup Moth
Common NameFour-spotted Cup Moth
Scientific NameParasa lepida
FamilyLimacodidae
SubfamilyLimacodinae
Wingspan (mm)45
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsorange, brown, black
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, plantations, gardens
Geographic RangeSouth and Southeast Asia (including India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia)
Host Plantsmango, citrus, coffee, tea, coconut, oil palm, castor
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, with multiple broods
Flight Stylefluttering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesThe larvae are slug-like (limaciform), often brightly colored, and covered in urticating hairs. Pupation occurs in a distinctive hard, cup-shaped cocoon, usually attached to twigs or leaves.
Identification TipsKey features include the stout, furry orange-brown body, reddish-brown forewings with wavy patterns, and the characteristic small black spots. The slug-like larvae and cup-shaped cocoons are also strong indicators for this species and family.
Description
A medium-sized, stout-bodied moth with a furry orange-brown thorax. Its forewings are reddish-brown to dark brown, marked with lighter wavy transverse lines and typically four small black spots.
