Photo: C & D Frith
Australia's Wet Tropics
Rainforest Life |
Zodiac Moth (Alcides zodiaca)
This is a large and attractive moth and in many ways resembles a swallow tail
butterfly.
It is a diurnal moth (meaning that it is active during the day), as is flits
around the rainforest or sips nectar from flowers with its long proboscis.
It can be recognised as a moth because it rests with its wings outspread, unlike
butterflies which rest with wings together most of the time.
The larvae of this moth feed mainly on Omphalea queenslandiae and pupate
in transparent cocoons between dead leaves on the ground or in crevices.
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