Olene mendosa

Olene mendosa Hubner, 1823
(one synonym : Dasychira divisa)
LYMANTRIIDAE

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

(updated 28 November 2008)

(Photo: copyright Peter Chew)

The Caterpillar of this species is hairy, with four brown dorsal tussocks, a black hair pencil on the tail, and a pair of black hair pencils each side of the head. The head and true legs are red. It is reported to feed on the foliage of many plants, including :

Orchid Trees ( Bauhinia species, CAESALPINIACEAE ),

Terminalia ( Terminalia carolinensis, COMBRETACEAE ),

Castor Oil ( Ricinus communis, EUPHORBIACEAE ),

Avocado ( Persea americana, LAURACEAE )

Gum Trees ( Eucalyptus, MYRTACEAE ),

Macadamia Nuts ( Macadamia integrifolia, PROTEACEAE ), and

Lichees ( Litchi chinensis, SAPINDACEAE ).

(Photo: copyright Peter Chew)

The Caterpillar pupates inside a silk cocoon spun between the leaves of the foodplant.

(Photo: copyright Peter Chew) male

The adult moth is dimorphic. Both sexes have (different) patterns of light and dark brown on the fore wings, buff coloured hind wings, and brown bodies. The male has a wingspan of about 3 cms. The female has an aereole (tranparent area with no scales) on each forewing, and a wingspan of about 4 cms.

Male

Female
(Specimens: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The species may be found across south east Asia, including :

Thailand,
as well as