Butterflies of the World - Lifecycle, Ecology, Taxonomy, Conservation, Photography, Butterfly Holidays, Photo Galleries, Book Reviews and more.........
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Moths of the Amazon and Andes
 
Mimosa Pearl
Leuciris fimbriaria  STOLL, 1781
Family - GEOMETRIDAE
subfamily - ENNOMINAE
Tribe -
 
 introduction | habitats | lifecycle | adult behaviour
 
Leuciris fimbriaria, ( or very closely related Leuciris species ), Rondonia, Brazil
 
Introduction
 
This pretty moth is reminiscent of the Nymphidium metalmarks. It has a wingspan of about 3cms. It was previously known by the name Teinocladia cuculliodes.
 
Leuciris fimbriaria occurs as a native species from Mexico to Peru. It has also been deliberately introduced to Australia.
 
Habitats
 
Disturbed forest habitats at altitudes of between 200-1500m.
 
This species was deliberately introduced to the Northern Territory of Australia in 2004 as a means of controlling Mimosa, a prickly bush which originated in South America but was imported into the botanic gardens at Darwin, from where it spread across the floodplains to become a threat to native Australian plants.
 
Lifecycle
 
The turquoise eggs are laid in batches on Mimosa pigra and related plants. The "looper" larvae are green, and feed diurnally. The pupae are very dark reddish black, and are formed without a cocoon amongst leaf litter or just below the surface of the ground.
 
Adult behaviour

 

Attracted to tungsten and mercury vapour lights.

 

 

 

 

Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.

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