DISTRIBUTION:

Syntherata escarlata (wingspan: males: 86-97mm; females: 92-102mm) flies in
Australia: Queensland: East Palmerston; Daintree; Rockhampton; Mutarnee; Inisfail (JB).

Bjorn Fjellstad writes, "Note that all Syntherata species have many colour variations and this makes it almost impossible to determine the adults down to species. The combination of colour on the tubercles of the larva is the best way to determine the species."

Syntherata escarlata male, 86mm,
Crystal Creek, Mutarnee, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy/copyright Bjorn Fjellstad.

Syntherata escarlata male, 87mm,
Cardwell, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy/copyright Bjorn Fjellstad.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Martin Finney writes, "They feed on Alphotonia, Evodiella, Proteaceae and Darlingia; also on oleander, privet and citrus.

"The moths usually take two months to emerge after spinning."

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

Syntherata escarlata female, reared on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata female, reared on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata female, 102mm, Daintree, Queensland, Australia,
tropical rainforest, north east coast of Queensland,
courtesy/copyright Bjorn Fjellstad.

Syntherata escarlata female, 92mm,
Crystal Creek, Mutarnee, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy/copyright Bjorn Fjellstad.

Syntherata escarlata female, 99mm, The Caves, Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy/copyright Bjorn Fjellstad.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in rows of 8-12 on hostplant foliage.

Larvae pupate in stiff oval cocoons spun up among food-plant or nearby vegetation.

Syntherata escarlata first instars on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata second instars on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata third instar on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata fourth instar on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata fifth instar on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata fifth instar on Ligustrum,
courtesy of Jurgen Van Houdt.

Syntherata escarlata fifth instar, Paluma, Queensland, Australia,
courtesy of Bjorn Fjellstad.

Visit Syntherata escarlata, male, female, cocoons, eggs, many instars.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Alphotonia Evodiella Proteaceae Darlingia Nerium oleander ....... Ligustrum Citrus

Mountain Ash/Red Ash Little Evodia Proteaceae Brown Silky Oak Oleander Privet Citrus

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