Alcides metaurus
| Alcides metaurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Uraniidae |
| Genus: | Alcides |
| Species: | A. metaurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Alcides metaurus (Linnaeus, 1763) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Alcides metaurus is a moth of the Uraniidae family. It is known from the tropical north of Queensland.[1]
The wingspan is about 100 mm. Adults are black with iridescent bands of yellow and pink. The underside is iridescent pale green with black bands. They are on wing during the day and feed on flower nectar. They rest with their wings open and out flat.
The larvae feed on various Euphorbiaceae species, including Endospermum medullosum, Endospermum myrmecophilum and Omphalea queenslandiae. These plants contain poisons which might protect the larvae from predation. There are various instars, with colours varying from green with a black band, to black with white bands and a red thorax, to red with black bands and orange legs. Pupation takes place in a cocoon made in a crevice or between dead leaves.