Nola analis
| Nola analis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Superfamily: | Noctuoidea |
| Family: | Nolidae |
| Genus: | Nola |
| Species: | N. analis
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| Binomial name | |
| Nola analis (Wileman & West, 1928)
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| Synonyms | |
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Nola analis is a moth of the family Nolidae first described by Wileman and West in 1928. It is found in India, Sri Lanka[1][2] and Hong Kong.[3]
Description[edit]
The moth belongs to a complex group called internella group taxonomically, until Hampson made pascua and quadrimaculata as synonyms of internella. In 1928 Wileman and West identified that analis is a separate species different pascua. However, all three species very closely resemble each other externally. Observation of the genitals is necessary to differentiate Nola analis from N. quadrimaculata.[4]
The male has yellowish hindwings, brownish hair-pencils and patches are associated with dorsum. A hair-pencil is enfolded in the dorsum. In tornus, underside has brownish scales. An irregular tri-arcuate submarginal present which defined sharply the darker distal area from paler basal area. Dark brownish raised scales are present on costa medially and antemedially. The caterpillar has a light yellowish body with a purplish band that runs laterally. Head glossy pale orange. However, some yellow and black variants can be observed with orange verrucae and green ventrum. Others are brownish black with yellowish-white marbling, and purple, orange and white verrucae. Lateral verrucae yellowish. Dorsal verrucae orange to white and black. A trapezium-shaped purple dorsal patch is found at A8. Secondary setae are present and are light grayish to translucent.[4]
Ecology[edit]
The caterpillars are restless and feed on flowers. Early instars are highly hairy, causing them to be easily blown away by the wind.[4] Pupation occurs in a triangular cocoon. Pupa lack a cremaster and have blunt ends. Larval food plants are Memecylon, Terminalia and Lantana camara.[5] Plants in the following genera are hosts for N. analis, N. internella and N. quadrimaculata: Mangifera, Durio, Ricinus, Pennisetum (seeds), Sorghum, Acacia, Cajanus (seeds), Nephelium.[4]
Timeline of the species' life cycle:[6]
- Life span of egg = 2–3 days
- Life span of larval stages = 15 days
- Life span of pupal stage = 7–8 days
- Life span of adult male = 3–4 days
- Life span of adult female = 8 days
References[edit]
- ^ 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 – via Academia.
- ^ Savela, Markku. "Nola analis (Wileman & West, 1928)". Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Nolid moths found in Hong Kong". Hong Kong Moths. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Nola ?quadrimaculata Heylaerts stat. rev". The Moths of Borneo. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants". The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "Bionomics of sorghum earhead webworms". CABI - Invasive Species Compendium. 1974. Retrieved 4 December 2018.