Condica illecta (Walker, 1865)
(one synonym: Hadena spargens Walker, 1865)
 AMPHIPYRINAE ,  NOCTUIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 28 May 2009)

These young caterpillars are smooth-skinned and green in early instars, with a brown head.


Later instars develop a purple herring-bone pattern with a black head. Later still, they turn brown with a thin wavy white line along each side, and white spots.


Specimens have been found feeding on the leaves of various plants in ASTERACEAE including :

  • Blue Billy Goat Weed ( Ageratum houstonianum ),
  • Cobblers Pegs ( Bidens pilosa ), and
  • Marigolds ( Calendula officinalis ).

    The caterpillars grow to a length of about 4 cms.


    The caterpillars burrow into the soil to pupate, producing a pretty green and brown banded chrysalis.


    The chrysalis produces this really boring moth: it is brown with an indistinct complex pattern on its wings. It has a wingspan of about 4 cms.


    (Photo: courtesy of Peter T Oboyski, Esseg Museum of Entomology, University of California, Berkeley)

    The species occurs throughout south-east Asia and the south Pacific, including :

  • Borneo,
  • Hawaii,
  • Hong Kong,
  • India,
  • New Guinea,
  • Society Islands,
  • Taiwan, as well as
  • Queensland and
  • New South Wales in Australia.

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