Ectropis bhurmitra (Walker, 1860)
(one synonym is: Boarmia diffusaria)
Tea twig caterpillar
 BOARMIINI ,  ENNOMINAE ,  GEOMETRIDAE

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

(updated 4 November 2008)


(Photo: courtesy of Bishop Museum, Hawaii)

The Caterpillars of this species are blotchy brown loopers with black marks and white spiracles along each side. They have been found feeding on plants from many families, including:

  • ASTERACEAE,
  • COMBRETACEAE,
  • EUPHORBIACEAE,
  • FABACEAE,
  • LILIACEAE,
  • POACEAE,
  • PROTEACEAE,
  • RUBIACEAE,
  • RUTACEAE,
  • SAPINDACEAE,
  • STERCULIACEAE,
  • VERBENACEAE,

    The caterpillars pupate in a cocoon made between two leaves joined with silk.


    (Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

    The adult moths are pale brown with a complex speckled pattern of darker shades of brown. The moths have a wingspan of about 3 cms

    The species is found across south-east Asia, including :

  • Hong Kong,
  • New Guinea,
  • Solomons,
  • Sri Lanka,
  • Thailand,
    and in Australia in:
  • New South Wales, and
  • Queensland.

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