| Biology |
| The
adults and larvae feed on mature leaves, and the pupae are also found
on leaves. H. bicinctus is highly polyphagous, sometimes causing leaf
damage to banana plants. It produces considerable populations on the
leaves of Passiflora species, and also breeds on Bridal Creeper (Myrsiphyllum
asparagoides). |
 |
| Distribution |
| Widespread
in the Old World tropics from Kenya to Australia and New Caledonia, also
recorded from European greenhouses. |
| Recognition |
| Body
brown, head yellow sub-medially, also abdominal segments IX-X; tarsi
and tibiae yellow, also antennal segments I & III-VIII; forewing
pale, lightly shaded at base, with 2 short dark brown transverse bands.
Head finely reticulate, with cheeks convex, sharply constricted to basal
neck. Antennae 8-segmented, VIII more than twice as long as VII; III & IV
with sense cone forked and extending well beyond apex of segment. Pronotum
finely reticulate, with several pairs of moderately long discal setae.
Mesonotum not divided medially. Metanotum with weakly defined reticulate
triangular area medially, median setae long, 1 pair of campaniform sensilla
present. Tarsi 2-segmented. Forewing with complete row of setae on both
longitudinal veins; costal cilia longer than setae; posteromarginal cilia
wavy. Abdominal tergites finely reticulate; median tergal setae minute;
tergite VIII with posteromarginal comb of long microtrichia laterally;
tergite X not fully divided medially. |
| Related
species |
|
| Of
the nine species recognised in this genus, all African in origin, several
are recorded as crop pests and are now widespread around the world. They
can be distinguished from each other by differences in the colour pattern
of the forewings, and by details of the abdominal sculpture (Wilson
1975).
|
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