Phyllodes imperialis
Introduction '''''Phyllodes imperialis''''', the '''imperial fruit-sucking moth''' or '''pink underwing moth''', is a noctuoid moth in the family Erebidae, subfamily Calpinae. It was first described by Herbert Druce in 1888.The species can be found in north-eastern Queensland to northern New South Wales, Papua New Guinea, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Description The wingspan is . The "leaf-shaped" forewings are grey-brown and show a distinctive white or yellow marking which varies somewhat among populations. The ventral side of the forewing has a discal, dark-brown patch containing three white spots. The hindwings are dark brown to black with a large central pink patch extending to the inner margin, to which the common name "pink underwing moth" refers.Early instars of the caterpillar are dull brown, but green individuals are also observed. Mature caterpillars are dark brown to reddish brown and show large eyespots. These are composed of a black pupil surrounded by a blue, then yellow ring. Between and below the eyespots are white markings, often described as looking like teeth, and resemble the teeth from a cartoon skeleton.
Subspecies The following subspecies are known:* ''Phyllodes imperialis imperialis'' from the Solomon Islands* ''Phyllodes imperialis dealbata'' from New Caledonia and Vanuatu* ''Phyllodes imperialis meyricki'' from the north of Australia and Papua New Guinea* ''Phyllodes imperialis smithersi'' from the southeast of Queensland and the northeast of New South Wales
Food plants The larvae feed on ''Menispermaceae'' species, including ''Carronia multisepala'' and ''Pycnarrhena australiana''.
Gallery File:Phyllodes imperialis female dorsal.jpg|Female, dorsal viewFile:Phyllodes imperialis female ventral.jpg|Female, ventral viewFile:Phyllodes imperialis male ventral.jpg|Male, ventral view
References
Literature *Druce, H. (1888). "Descriptions of new species of Lepidoptera". ''Annals and Magazine of Natural History''. (6): 234–242.
External links *  ''Caterpillar Eyespots'' – blog*  "Pink Underwing Moth: Rarity found on a Land for Wildlife property" – ''Land for Wildlife''*  Searching for the southern pink underwing moth - New South Wales government notice