Brenthia coronigera
Appearance
Brenthia coronigera | |
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Species: | B. coronigera
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Binomial name | |
Brenthia coronigera Meyrick, 1918
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Brenthia coronigera, commonly known as the metalmark moth,[1] is a species of moth of the family Choreutidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1918. It is found in the Bengal region of what was British India.[2]
The adult moth is a mimic of predatory jumping spiders; the moth's forewings are held aloft and have bold black spots, which resemble spider eyes, while its hindwings, which are held in a twisted position and are marked with stripes, resemble spider legs. The moth also moves in a jumpy, jerky fashion, like a jumping spider, rather than fluttering like other moths. Its mimicry is so convincing that spiders respond by trying to court the moth, rather than attacking it.[1]
The larvae feed on Cordia obliqua and Cordia myxa.[3]
References
- ^ a b Sekar, Sandhya (26 April 2017). "Moth's disguise is so good, spiders love it instead of eating it". New Scientist. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
- ^ choreutidae.lifedesks.org
- ^ HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants