Aucha velans

Aucha velans
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
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

  1. ^ a b "Tide-watching mangrove moth". Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Species Details: Aucha velans Walker, 1857". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Generic Names and their Type-species". The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.


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