The species has a cosmopolitan distribution.[3] It is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions,[4] while it is a rare migrant in some other parts of its range, such as the UK[5] and the Netherlands.[6]
Description and biology
Larva
Larvae of Euchromius ocellea have a white body with amber pinacula and a pale amber head, and grow to a length of 18–20 mm.[7] They feed on maize (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor).[7]
Imago
Euchromius ocellea has a wingspan of 13–27 mm.[8][4]
The ground colour of the forewings was given by Schouten as creamy white with a dense suffusion of ochreous to dark brown scales;[8] while Goater described it as pale greyish ochreous.[4] The forewings have a number of markings, including two medial bands, a subterminal line, a white patch near the terminal area, and a number of black dots in the terminal area.[4][8] Goater additionally mentions fine silver streaking on the entire wing; golden metallic spots near the black terminal dots; and, in male specimens, a semi-transparant patch on the basal side of the cell.[4] Schouten makes mention of a yellowish spot in the posterior area in some specimens.[8] The fringe is white with two lines, either brown[8] or black.[4]
In southern Africa, adults are on wing from October to April. In eastern Africa there seem to be two flight periods with adults on wing from November to February and again from June to July. In western Africa the flight period ranges from November to March.[8]
References
^"GlobIZ search". Global Information System on Pyraloidea. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
^ abcdefGoater, Barry (1986). British Pyralid Moths. Colchester, Essex: Harley Books. p. 22. ISBN0 946589 08 9.
^Wall, Mike. "63.076 1289 Euchromius ocellea". Hants Moths - The Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies) of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
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