Theretra tryoni

Theretra tryoni (Miskin, 1891)
(one synonym : Theretra herrichii)
MACROGLOSSINAE, SPHINGIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Ian F.B. Common & Stella Crossley

(updated 5 April 2006)

early instar
(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland)

This Caterpillar is initially green with a pair of blue-green eyespots each side of the front of the abdomen, and a pale tail spike.

(Photo from: Moths of Australia)

Later instars vary in colour from green to orange or even brown, with two equally sized eye spots on each side, on the first and second abdominal segments. They only have a short dorsal horn. They have been found feeding on various species of ARACEAE :

Elephants Ear ( Alocasia macrorrhizos ),

Taro ( Colocasia esculenta ), and

Arum Lily ( Zantedeschia aethiopica ).

(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland))

The pupa is rather long and thin. It is mottled brown with dark rings around the abdominal segments.

(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland))

The adult moths of this species are plain brown, with a few faint dark dots. The moths have a wingspan of about 7 cms.

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

The abdomen of the adult moths has hardly any lateral striation which distinguishes them from the very similar species Theretra latreillei. The adults may be nearly indistinguishable, but of course the Caterpillars are easily distinguished, having two eyespots each side, whereas Theretra latreillei Caterpillars have only one.

(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland))

The eggs are spherical and off-white. They are laid singly on the upper surface of leaves of a foodplant.

The species may be found in:

New Guinea, and also through

Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales.