Aucha velans

Aucha velans, the tide-watching mangrove moth,[1] is a moth of the family Noctuidae. The species was first described by Francis Walker in 1858.[2] It is found in Sri Lanka,[3][4] Singapore and Philippines.[5]

Aucha velans
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Noctuidae
Genus:
Aucha
Species:
A. velans
Binomial name
Aucha velans
Walker, [1858]

The adult has a wingspan of 28–35 mm. They are found on the stems of Avicennia mangroves in a characteristic position where adults perch head down on tree trunks. Caterpillars are edge feeders of Avicennia species. Late instars reach the ground and pupate inter-tidally under rotting logs or in algal mats.[1] They are major pests on mangroves and considered as severe defoliators.[6]

References
  1. "Tide-watching mangrove moth". Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. "Species Details: Aucha velans Walker, 1857". Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  3. Koçak, Ahmet Ömer; Kemal, Muhabbet (20 February 2012). "Preliminary list of the Lepidoptera of Sri Lanka". Cesa News. Centre for Entomological Studies Ankara (79): 1–57. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  4. "Generic Names and their Type-species". The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  5. "Tide watching mangrove moth strikes again". Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  6. "Mangroves survive the attack of Tide Watching Mangrove Moth". Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Republic of the Philippines. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
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