Orange Fruit-piercing Moth
Common NameOrange Fruit-piercing Moth
Scientific NameEudocima aurantia
FamilyErebidae
SubfamilyCalpinae
Wingspan (mm)80
Wing Patterncryptic
Primary Colorsbrown, green, reddish-brown
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, orchards, cultivated areas
Geographic RangeSoutheast Asia, parts of Australia, Pacific Islands
Host PlantsTiliacora triandra, Cyclea peltata, Stephania japonica
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae feed on vines of the Menispermaceae family, often camouflaged as bird droppings or twigs. Adults are nocturnal and known for piercing ripe fruit to feed on juices.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive dead-leaf mimicry of the forewings, including the irregular wing margins and prominent labial palps. The flash of bright orange hindwings with black markings upon disturbance is also a key identifier.
Description
This large moth exhibits remarkable camouflage, with forewings intricately patterned in shades of brown, reddish-brown, and green, featuring irregular margins and speckles to perfectly mimic a decaying leaf.
