Nola analis

The moth is belongs to a complex group called internella group taxonomically, until Hampson made pascua and quadrimaculata as synonyms of internella. In 1928 Wileman and West identified that analis is a separate species different pascua. However, all three species very closely resemble each other externally. Observation of the genitals is necessary to differentiate Nola analis from N. quadrimaculata.[4]

The male has yellowish hindwings, brownish hair-pencils and patches are associated with dorsum. A hair-pencil is enfolded in the dorsum. In tornus, underside has brownish scales. An irregular tri-arcuate submarginal present which defined sharply the darker distal area from paler basal area. Dark brownish raised scales are present on costa medially and antemedially. The caterpillar has a light yellowish body with a purplish band that runs laterally. Head glossy pale orange. However, some yellow and black variants can be observed with orange verrucae and green ventrum. Others are brownish black with yellowish-white marbling, and purple, orange and white verrucae. Lateral verrucae yellowish. Dorsal verrucae orange to white and black. A trapezium-shaped purple dorsal patch is found at A8. Secondary setae are present and are light grayish to translucent.[4]

The caterpillars are restless and feed on flowers. Early instars are highly hairy, causing them to be easily blown away by the wind.[4] Pupation occurs in a triangular cocoon. Pupa lack a cremaster and have blunt ends. Larval food plants are Memecylon, Terminalia and Lantana camara.[5] Plants in the following genera are hosts for N. analis, N. internella and N. quadrimaculata: Mangifera, Durio, Ricinus, Pennisetum (seeds), Sorghum, Acacia, Cajanus (seeds), Nephelium.[4]

Timeline of the species' life cycle:[6]

• Life span of egg = 2–3 days
• Life span of larval stages = 15 days
• Life span of pupal stage = 7–8 days
• Life span of adult male = 3–4 days
• Life span of adult female = 8 days