Aumakua (moth)

Aumakua
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Noctuidae
Genus: Aumakua
Hayes & Sattler 1980
Species: A. omaomao
Binomial name
Aumakua omaomao
Hayes & Sattler 1980

Aumakua is a genus of moths of the Noctuidae family, consisting of one species Aumakua omaomao, which is endemic to Hawaii.

Adults are known to fly at dusk.

The larvae feed on Clermontia fauriei and Trematolobelia kauaiensis. They cut the plant (early instars create discs in the leaf, while later instars cut along the edge), thus allowing the latex to drain before consuming the plant material.

References