Differential habitat affinities of five species of fruitpiercing moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in their utilization of Tinospora smilacina Benth. as a larval host plant in north Queensland

Abstract

Abstract Three habitats, each containing a different form (rainforest, coastal and dry tropics) of the twining vine Tinospora smilacina, and a fourth with two of these forms were routinely sampled between 1986 and 1989 for larvae of fruitpiercing moths, to ascertain spatial and temporal utilization of this plant. Othreis fullonia and Othreis materna occurred on all forms in all habitats, predominantly between November and March for the former and January to June for the latter. Although Rhytia cocalus utilized two forms of T. smilacina it preferred the rainforest habitat to which Othreis jordani and Khadira aurantia were essentially confined. While the degree of cohabitation between any two moth species was greatest in the drier inland habitat, where only O. materna and O. fullonia occurred during a limited season, there was considerable temporal separation of any two species utilizing T. smilacina in any habitat. Field and laboratory evaluation of alternative menisperm hosts suggested O. fullonia, O. jordani and K. aurantia were generalists while O. materna and R. cocalus confined their feeding to the genus Tinospora. The differential habitat affinities and host plant acceptance of these moths are pertinent to their variable seasonal activity, local importance and general pest status.