Eumelea ludovicata

Eumelea ludovicata is a species of moth in the family Geometridae first described by Achille Guenée in 1858. It is found in Indo-Australian tropics of India, Sri Lanka,^[1] east to Singapore,^[2] Taiwan,^[3] the Solomon Islands and Guam.

Eumelea ludovicata
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Geometridae
Genus:	Eumelea
Species:	E. ludovicata
Binomial name
Eumelea ludovicata (Guenée, 1858)
Synonyms
Eumelea aureliata Guenée, 1857 Eumelea ludovicata Guenée; Prout, 1921

Biology

The adult has a fluttering, erratic flight. The male is more reddish, whereas female is yellowish.

The caterpillar has a cylindrical yellowish-white body with many longitudinal lines. Setae minute and spiracles greenish. Its round-shaped head is yellowish white with rusty markings. Hairs are present, which are short, erect and thick. Host plant is always Macaranga species. Pupa elongate with semi-elliptical, flattened cremaster. Pupal case for the proboscis and antennae extends free. Caterpillar resting straight at 60 degrees to the leaf surface, which is often confused as a twig. Pupation occurs between two leaves fastened together coated inside with silk.^[4]

Subspecies

Eight subspecies have been recognized.^[5]

• Eumelea ludovicata biclarata Prout, 1931
• Eumelea ludovicata cupreata Warren, 1897
• Eumelea ludovicata enantia Prout, 1921
• Eumelea ludovicata fulvida Prout, 1921
• Eumelea ludovicata referta Prout, 1931
• Eumelea ludovicata rhodeogyna Prout, 1925
• Eumelea ludovicata rubra Prout, 1921
• Eumelea ludovicata salomonis Prout, 1921

Gallery

• 
  Male dorsal side
• 
  Female dorsal side
• 
  Underside
• 
  dorsal side
• 
  underside