Dot Underwing Moth (Eudocima materna)




 Another name - Fruit Piercing Moth 


Distribution -  This moth is found in widespread parts of the world, mainly in tropical Asia extending to New Guinea and Australia as well as in Africa.

Its wingspan is nearly 60-90 mm. 
Male has a greenish-grey head. The male's forewings are greenish-grey with very numerous faint striated reddish lines. Female much more prominently striated with rufous coloured forewings. Their abdomen is orange.  They are considered a pest on citrus and other fruit, which they damage by piercing the fruit in order to suck the juice.
The moth in the above pictures is a male,  the easiest way to distinguish between the two sexes is by viewing their forewing. The male has a shape that represents an oval on their forewing whereas the female has striated patterns on their forewing.  

Location: Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

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