Aucha velans
| Aucha velans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Noctuidae |
| Genus: | Aucha |
| Species: | A. velans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Aucha velans Walker, [1858]
| |
Aucha velans, the tide-watching mangrove moth,[1] is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858.[2] It is found in Sri Lanka,[3][4] Singapore and Philippines.[5]
The adult has a wingspan of 28–35 mm. They are found on the stems of Avicennia mangroves in a characteristic position where adults perch head down on tree trunks. Caterpillars are edge feeders of Avicennia species. Late instars reach the ground and pupate inter-tidally under rotting logs or in algal mats.[1] They are major pests on mangroves and considered as severe defoliators.[6]
References
- ^ a b "Tide-watching mangrove moth". Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ "Species Details: Aucha velans Walker, 1857". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ Koçak, Ahmet Ömer; Kemal, Muhabbet (20 February 2012). "Preliminary list of the Lepidoptera of Sri Lanka". Cesa News (79). Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara: 1–57. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ "Generic Names and their Type-species". The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ "Tide watching mangrove moth strikes again". Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ^ "Mangroves survive the attack of Tide Watching Mangrove Moth". Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.