Brenthia coronigera

Brenthia coronigera, commonly known as the metalmark moth,[1] is a species of moth of the family Choreutidae. It was described by Edward Meyrick in 1918. It is found in the Bengal region of what was British India.[2]

Brenthia coronigera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Choreutidae
Genus:
Brenthia
Species:
B. coronigera
Binomial name
Brenthia coronigera
Meyrick, 1918

The adult moth is a mimic of predatory jumping spiders; the moth's forewings are held aloft and have bold black spots, which resemble spider eyes, while its hindwings, which are held in a twisted position and are marked with stripes, resemble spider legs. The moth also moves in a jumpy, jerky fashion, like a jumping spider, rather than fluttering like other moths. Its mimicry is so convincing that spiders respond by trying to court the moth, rather than attacking it.[1]

The larvae feed on Cordia obliqua and Cordia myxa.[3]

References
  1. Sekar, Sandhya (26 April 2017). "Moth's disguise is so good, spiders love it instead of eating it". New Scientist. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  2. "choreutidae.lifedesks.org". Archived from the original on 2012-08-12. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  3. HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants


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