Senecio moth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Senecio moth |
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| An adult Senecio Moth | |
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The senecio moth is also known as the magpie moth or cineraria moth. Its scientific name is Nyctemera amicus. This moth belongs to a group of moths called the Erebidae family. A scientist named Adam White first described this species in 1841.
Where Senecio Moths Live
Senecio moths can be found in many parts of the world. They live in Southeast Asia, which includes countries like Thailand and Malaysia. They also live across Oceania, which is a region of islands in the Pacific Ocean. Most of Australia is home to these moths. You can also find them in New Zealand.
What Senecio Moths Eat
The young senecio moths, called larvae or caterpillars, have a special diet. They eat plants from the Senecio group. Some of these plants include S. linearifolius, S. quadridentatus, S. mikanioides, S. cruentus, and S. scandens.
These Senecio plants contain natural chemicals. These chemicals are called pyrrolizidine alkaloids. When the larvae eat these plants, the chemicals make them taste bad. This helps protect the caterpillars from birds and other animals that might try to eat them. It makes the larvae poisonous to birds.
