Coenotes eremophilae

Coenotes eremophilae (T.P.Lucas, 1891)
(one synonym : Protoparce minimus)
SPHINGINAE, SPHINGIDAE

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

(updated 9 December 2005)

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The Caterpillars of this species are black with lots of little pale dots, and a row of yellow spiracles along each side. On the tail, they have an entirely black curved horn. They feed for preferance on plants from the familiy MYOPORACEAE such as :

Eremophila bowmanii ( MYOPORACEAE ),

Rock Fuchsia Bush ( Eremophila freelingii , MYOPORACEAE ,

Warty Fuchsia Bush, ( Eremophila latrobei, MYOPORACEAE ),

Emu Bush, ( Eremophila longifolia, MYOPORACEAE ),

Turpentine Bush ( Eremophila sturtii, MYOPORACEAE ),

Budda ( Eremophila mitchellii, MYOPORACEAE ),

Ellangowan ( Myoporum deserti, MYOPORACEAE ), and

Boobialla ( Myoporum montanum, MYOPORACEAE ),

but also have been found on a variety of other plants, including :

Currant Bush ( Carissa lanceolata, APOCYNACEAE ),

Helicopter Tree ( Gyrocarpus americanus, HERNANDIACEAE ),

Newcastelia spodiotricha ( LAMIACEAE ),

Mint Bush ( Prostanthera striatiflora, LAMIACEAE ),

Yellow Hibiscus ( Hibiscus panduriformis, MALVACEAE ),

Mimosa Bush ( Acacia farnesitana, MIMOSACEAE ),

Sesame ( Sesamum indicum, PEDALIACEAE ),

Sweet Quandong ( Santalum acuminatum, SANTALACEAE ),

Corkwood ( Duboisia myoporoides , SOLANACEAE ), and

Lolly Bush ( Clerodendrum floribundum, VERBENACEAE ).

The adult moths of this species have very boring fawn wings, and a pattern of diagonal and transverse dark marks on the abdomen. They have a wingspan of about 5 cms.

The species is found over the inland northern half of Australia.