Oxyptilus causodes explained

Oxyptilus causodes is a moth of the family Pterophoridae. It is known from India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and was recently discovered in New Guinea^[1] and Australia.^[2]

The wingspan is about .

The larvae feed on the fruits of Dillenia retusa and Dillenia indica.^[3] Full-grown larvae emerge from the fallen fruit to pupate. This can take place on any neighbouring object. The larva pupates very rapidly, twelve hours is sufficient for it to emerge from the fruit, select a suitable place for pupation, suspend itself, and complete the metamorphosis.^[4]

Notes and References

1. http://www.papua-insects.nl/insect%20orders/Lepidoptera/Pterophoridae/Oxyptilus/Oxyptilus%20causodes.htm Papua Insects
2. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/3018240 'Oxyptilus causodes' in Yorkeys Knob, Queensland
3. Web site: Taxonomic Studies on the Superfamily Pterophoroidea from North-Western India. Zoo Sprint. 6 October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109230035/http://www.zoosprint.org/ZooPrintJournal/2005/March/1787-1803.pdf. 9 November 2013. dead.
4. Web site: Life histories of Indian insects: Microlepidoptera. Archive.org. 6 October 2010.