Maroga melanostigma

The fruit tree borer (Maroga melanostigma) is a moth of the family Xyloryctidae. It is native to Australia.

Maroga melanostigma
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Xyloryctidae
Genus:
Maroga
Species:
M. melanostigma
Binomial name
Maroga melanostigma
(Wallengren, 1861)
Synonyms
  • Cryptophasa melanostigma Wallengren, 1861
  • Cryptophasa bipunctata Scott, 1864
  • Maroga gigantella Walker, 1864
  • Cryptophasa gigantella
  • Maroga tasmanica Turner, 1927
  • Tortrix unipunctana Donovan, 1805 (nec. Haworth, 1811)

The wingspan is about 40 mm. The adults have satin white forewings, with a black dot near the centre of the wing. The hindwings are grey. The body is black with yellow bands and a yellow tip. The upper part of the legs has orange hairs.[1]

The moths confront threats by lying down on their back or side, extending the wings upwards and curling the abdomen to display the yellow tip.

The larvae feed on a wide range of trees, including Acacia species, especially Acacia mearnsii. The species is considered a pest on Ulmus × hollandica 'Wredei', Platanus orientalis, various maple species and Rosaceae species such as Malus pumila, Prunus armeniaca, Prunus avium, Prunus persica and Rubus idaeus. Other recorded foodplants include Cassia species, Wisteria sinensis, Carya illinoensis, Ficus carica, Citrus species, Lantana camara and Vitis vinifera.

  • Female, dorsal view
  • Female, ventral view
  • Male, ventral view
  • Male and female
  • Threatened moths lie down on their back or side

References
  1. Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley (August 8, 2004). "Maroga melanostigma". uts.edu.au. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
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