Mocis frugalis

Mocis frugalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Noctuoidea
Family: Erebidae
Subfamily: Erebinae
Tribe: Euclidiini
Genus: Mocis
Species: M. frugalis
Binomial name
Mocis frugalis
(Fabricius, 1775)[1]
Synonyms
  • Noctua frugalis Fabricius, 1775
  • Remigia translata Walker, 1865
  • Chalciope lycopodia Geyer, 1837
  • Remigia frugalis Fabricius, 1775

The Sugarcane Looper (Mocis frugalis) is a species of moth of the Erebidae family. It is found in several parts of the world, including India.

Description

Wingspan 36–50 millimetres (1.4–2.0 in)

Grey-brown. Fore wing with a diffused dark mark above the centre of vein 1 ; an oblique postmedial line pale inwardly, red- brown outwardly; a submarginal series of black specks. Hindwing with postmedial and diffused submarginal lines.

Some specimens have a black spot above inner margin of fore wing before the middle.[2]

Larva pale yellowish ochreous, with darker lines ; two subdorsal lines ; and a sublateral series of olivaceous spots ; 4th and 5th somites edged behind with black. Food-plants, Zingiberacece.[2]

Distribution

Throughout the Oriental and Australian regions.[2]

In a recent publication Mocis proverai, that is found in Africa and on the Arabian peninsula is promoted to a separate species. Both species can be distinguished with microscopic research of the genitalia.

References

  1. taxapad.com
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 G. F. Hampson (1895) The Fauna of British India including Ceylon and Burma, Moths Vol. III