Xanthodes transversa

Xanthodes transversa Guenee, 1852
(one synonym : Trileuca dentalis)
CHLOEPHORINAE , NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 22 May 2006)

(Photo: courtesy of Jutta Godwin, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, Brisbane)

The Caterpillars of this species are a puzzle. Some appear to be green with yellow spots. Others have a yellow stripe along the back and along each side, and black splodges on each segment.

Some have been found with a red spot on the tail, perhaps to distract predators away from the vulnerable head.

(Photo: courtesy of Jutta Godwin, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, Brisbane)

They have been found feeding on the leaves of various plants in the Hibiscus family ( MALVACEAE ) :

Australian Rosella ( Hibiscus heterophyllus ),

Garden Hibicus ( Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ),

Holyhock Tree ( Hibiscus splendens ),

Turk's Hat ( Malvaviscus arboreus ), and

Caesarweed ( Urena lobata ).

The caterpillars grow to a length of about 4 cms. It is not clear to us if the caterpillars are polymorphic perhaps with different coloured instars or sexes, or if two or more species have similar adult forms but different larval forms, and have been given the same name.

(Photo: courtesy of Jutta Godwin, Cubberla-Witton Catchments Network, Brisbane)

The adult moths are yellow, with three brown arrow-shaped lines across each forewing. They have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The species is found across south-east Asia, from India to Japan, including

Hong Kong,

Japan,

Thailand, and

Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.