#index entry

[rattyexplores]

Index Entry - Hydrillodes lentalis

Taxonomy: Superfamily Noctuoidea; Family Erebidae; Subfamily Herminiinae; Genus Hydrillodes

Food Plant: Dead Leaves.

Species Notes “The species in this genus are very similar, and are still the subject of review.” Can be found in Queensland and Norfolk Island, Australia. Can also be found on the Andaman Islands, India, Hong Kong, and Japan.

[rattyexplores]

Index Entry - Acosmeryx anceus

Taxonomy: Superfamily Bomybcoidea; Family Sphingidae; Subfamily Macroglossinae; Genus Acosmeryx

Food plant/s: Cayratia clematidea “Slender Grape”

Occupation/Territory: Australia (North QLD), Hong Kong, Borneo, India, Papua, and the Philippines.

Sex differences: The females have a very subtle increase in contrast in their patterns.

Caterpillar description: Green, with two parallel lines down the side of the back, with small false eyes underneath. A larger false eye near the head, which should act as a deterrent when the caterpillar pulls its extendable head in. The tail (back horn) is black with a pink tip.

(Source, more information)

13/01/21

[rattyexplores]

✤ Index Entry - Catopsilia pomona, “Lemon Migrant”

Taxonomy: Superfamily Papilionoidea; Family Pieridae; Subfamily Colladinae; Genus Catopsilia

Food Plant/s: Native Australian species within the Caesalpiniaceae family (Genus Cassia and Senna)

Another Pieridae butterfly

[rattyexplores]

Index Entry - Barasa cymatistis “Small Grey Moth”

More info on the Caterpillar More info on the Moth

Known Food Plant/s Lophostemon confertus “Brush box”, and possibly Eucalyptus leaves.

Taxonomy Order Lepidoptera; Superfamily Noctuoidea; Family Nolidae “Hatted Caterpillars”; Subfamily Nolinae; Genus Barasa

Territory Australia (NT and QLD), New Guinea.

[rattyexplores]

Index Entry - 10/01/21 - Yoma sabina, “The Lurcher”

Not to be confused with Cupha prosope! They look quite similar.

Taxonomy: Superfamily Papilionoidea; Family Nymphalidae; Subfamily Nymphalinae

Food plant/s: Dipteracanthus species “Australian Native Petunias”

Occupation/Territory: Australia (North QLD, NT), Java, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vanuatu.

Sex differences: The males have very similar patterns to the females, however they lack the false eyes, have a small orange band at the tip of the forewing, and are much darker in colour.

Caterpillar description: (Placeholder image) The caterpillar is very similar in appearance to Doleschallia bisaltide, Being black, covered in branched spikes all the way down the body, two on its head resembling horns, red/orange spots on the side, and white markings. The main difference between the species, is that Yoma sabina has white lines down the back, instead of spots.

Pupae description: (Placeholder image) The pupae is also similar in shape and size to Doleschallia bisaltide, however it is angular, and has many blunt spikes.

(Source)

[rattyexplores]

I’m actually reconsidering writing index entries on moths I don’t know the foodplants for. I might just find caterpillars, keep them, and wait until they hatch.

Index Entry - Pycnarmon meritalis Taxonomy: Superfamily Pyraloidea; Family Crambidae “Webworms, Shoot borers”; Subfamily Spilomelinae; Genus Pycnarmon

[rattyexplores]

Index Entry - Blenina donans

Taxonomy: Superfamily Noctuoidea; Family Nolidae “Hatted Caterpillars”; Subfamily Sarrothripinae; Genus Blenina

Food plant/s: Diospyros species “Persimmon and Ebony”

Occupation/Territory: Australia (QLD, NT), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, and the Philippines.

Caterpillar description: Smooth Green, yellowish head, blueish tail. “Early instars shelter under young leaves. Later instars lie along twigs for camouflage” - Source below

Pupae description: “The pupa is formed in a yellow pear-shaped cocoon anchored by its four corners to a leaf” - Source below

(Source)

20/01/21

[rattyexplores]

⚘ 𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒔

Floral Index Entry - Torenia fournieri, “Bluewings, Wishbone flower”

Fauna If you’re willing on growing a garden, this flower is good for attracting bees, and other pollinators. Highly beneficial.

There are many species of Apoidea, “Bees” That pollinate this plant. Some species I saw include: Trigona carbonaria “Native Stingless Bees”, Amegilla cingulata “Blue-banded bee”, and the Honey bee “Apis mellifera”. The flower can also attract humming birds.

Pests This flower is a meal for the infamous Spodoptera litura, keep an eye out for the caterpillar. The best method of controlling caterpillars, would be to just pick them off by hand. This caterpillar is usually found in the bud of the flower, but later instars are easier to spot on the leaves and stems, eating away at the flower and its petals.

There are also various fungal infections the plant like “Powdery Mildew”, but good growing conditions and air flow can prevent this.

Aphids and Whiteflies are also major pests. Eucalyptus oil can work well as pest control.

Appearance The flowers themselves can come in many different colours, usually ranging from pink, purple to white and yellow. The leaves and stem have a very distinct shade of lime green.

Miscellaneous information

Taxonomy: Order: Lamiales; Family Linderniaceae; Genus Torenia

Soil: Soil must be rich with organic matter, as well as moist. Loam is recommended.

Sun/Atmosphere: Partial shade and/or Full shade. The plants DO NOT like excessive humidity and heat. The best temperatures for the plants is 21-24C during the day, 18-20C at night.

Water: Moderate watering, whenever you see the soil dry, really.

Type: Annual, plant after spring when there’s snowy winters.

26/01/21