Phyllodes imperialis

Phyllodes imperiais H.Druce, 1888
(one synonym : Xenodryas meyricci)
Imperial Fruit Sucking Moth
CATOCALINAE , NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley & John Moss & Neil Hewett

(updated 14 August 2008)

(Photo: courtesy of Cooper Creek Wilderness, North Queensland)

This magnificent insect occurs in rainforest from north-eastern Queensland to northern NSW, and overseas in Papua New Guina, the Solomons, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Several subspecies have been noted, including :

dealbata Holloway, 1979 (New Caledonia),

meyricci Hampson, 1913,

papuana Hampson, 1913, and

an as yet unnamed southern subspecies.

Illustration 2, Plate CCXI, Hampson 1903-1913,
(Courtesy of Joe Kunkel, University of Massachusetts)

The expanded forewing size of the adult varies from 13 to 17 cms. The forewings are chocolate brown and leaf-shaped, and the hindwings have large pinkish-red central area. When at rest, the forewings cover the hindwings in a 'steep, peaked roof' shape, and it disappears from view; any potential predator seeing what appears only to be a dead leaf: a good example of leaf crypsis.

(Photo: courtesy of Cooper Creek Wildernes)

Just as spectacular is the larva, of which the final instar is about 12 cms long. If molested, it bends its head downwards beneath the raised front portion of its body, stretching the skin on its dorsum, revealing what appears to be a pair of large, blue-black 'eyes' and a double row of white teeth-like markings: a most remarkable effect which would be sufficient to startle any potential avian, reptilian or mammalian predator.

The Caterpillar feeds on vines from the plant family MENISPERMACEAE, such as :

Carronia multisepala ( in the Blackall Ranges ), and

Pycnarrhena australiana ( in north Queensland ).

As well as the spectacular appearance of the adult and larva, the pupa is also similarly endowed, exhibiting what resembles transparent circumferential panels on every abdominal segment. It is difficult to imagine what function this serves, considerig the larva usually encloses itself in a thin silk cocoon, woven loosely into dead leaves on the ground.

(Photo: courtesy of Cooper Creek Wilderness)

The moths feed on the juice of fruit that has been damaged in some way, although they do not damage fruit themselves as they do not have the saw-like proboscis found in other genera of CATOCALINAE.