Aloa marginata (Donovan, 1805)
(one synonym: Amsacta eurymochla Turner, 1927)
Donovan's Tiger Moth
ARCTIINAE , ARCTIIDAE , NOCTUOIDEA

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Ian F.B. Common, & Stella Crossley

(updated 27 April 2008)

Aloa marginata larva
(Photo: from Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990)

The Caterpillar of this species is dark brown with cream spots, and has lots of brown stiff hairs. It has been found feeding on various herbaceous plants, from the families:

  • ASTERACEAE,
  • BORAGINACEAE,
  • EUPHORBIACEAE,
  • FABACEAE,
  • PLANTAGINACEAE,
  • POLYGONACEAE, and
  • PORTULACACEAE.

    Aloa marginata
    (Specimen: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

    The head, thorax, and wings of the adult moth are basically white. The forewings each have a red and black line along the costa, and often have other straight black lines radiating from the base. The hindwings have a number of black spots. However, the markings on the wings are quite variable. Northern forms tend to have reduced black markings. The abdomen is usually red, but can be yellow, with a black mark on top of each segment.

    Aloa marginata

    The species is found over most of Australia, including:

  • New South Wales,
  • Queensland, and
  • Western Australia.


    Further reading :

    David Carter,
    Butterflies and Moths, Collins Eyewitness Handbooks, Sydney 1992, p. 273.

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 436.


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