Pasture Day Moth

Taxobox
name = Pasture Day Moth

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image_width = 250px
image_caption = Pasture Day Moth
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Insecta
ordo = Lepidoptera
familia = Noctuidae
genus = "Apina"
species = "A. callisto"
binomial = "Apina callisto"
binomial_authority = Angas, 1847The Pasture Day Moth, "Apina callisto" (synonym "Amazelo callisto"), is a species in the Noctuidae family of moths which is, as its name implies, active during the day, making it unlike most other species in the Noctuidae family. It is found in most southern areas of Australia, ranging from lower Queensland to Tasmania.

The Pasture Day Moth lays its eggs in pasture, and they hatch after heavy rains in early spring. When the larvae are fully grown, measuring about convert|60|mm|in|abbr=on, they burrow down before becoming pupae. They have striking coloration; two yellow stripes run down their mottled-black back, interspersed with blue spots. Their bodies are covered with white spines. They feed on various broad leaved plants (see list below).

The adult moth's wings are black with cream and chestnut markings, with a wingspan of approximately convert|50|mm|in|abbr=on. Its thorax is black and the abdomen is orange ringed with black.

Recorded food plants

*"Arctotheca" - Capeweed
*"Erodium" - Storksbill
*"Lepidium"
*"Malva" - Mallow
*"Modiola" - Bristle Mallow
*"Plantago" - Plantain
*Poaceae - Grasses (including "Paspalum")
*"Rumex"
*"Salvia" - Sage
*"Sonchus" - Sow-thistle
*"Trifolium" - Clover

*"Rumex"

External links

* [http://www.ento.csiro.au/ecowatch/Primary/butterflies/pages/Apina_calisto.htm Eco-watch - Pasture Day Moth]
* [http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/pestweb/Query1_1.idc?ID=-870925971 PestWeb Pasture Day Moth]
* [http://linus.socs.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/agar/callist.html "Apina Callisto"]