Syntherata melvilla

Syntherata melvilla (Westwood, 1853)

< Wingspan: 89 mm >

Male (Darwin, NT)

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< Wingspan: 86 mm >

Male (Darwin, NT)

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< Wingspan: 86 mm >

Male (Darwin, NT)

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Note that all Syntherata species have many colour variation 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.

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I have reared this species successfully on both Billy Goat Plum (Planchonia careya) and Pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius). Even switching back and forth between the plants according to what is available in the area (as I sometimes have to bring the larvae with me when travelling), has never been a problem.

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1st instar larvae newly hatched (ex female Darwin, NT)

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1st instar larva a few days old (ex female Darwin, NT)

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Early 3rd instar larva (ex female Darwin, NT)

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2nd instar (left) larva and 3rd instar larva (right) (ex female Darwin, NT)

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3rd instar larva (ex female Darwin, NT)

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4th instar larva (ex female Darwin, NT)

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