Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Noctuoidea
- Family: Erebidae
- Genus: Oraesia
- Species: O. provocans
- Binomial name: Oraesia provocans Walker, 1858
Synonyms recorded in the scientific literature include Oraesia hartmanni Möschler, 1884.
Common name
The species is commonly known as the “provocative calpe.”
Description
The adult moth has a wingspan of approximately 48 mm. The forewings possess an angled outer margin. In males, the antennae are minutely ciliated and the palpi are dark. A distinctive silver streak occurs on vein 2 of the forewing before an oblique line, and an additional silver streak is present near the apex and along the outer margin below the apex. Females are generally darker in coloration than males.
Distribution and habitat
Oraesia provocans is found across a broad range in the Old World tropics and subtropics. Its distribution includes continental Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Sri Lanka. Records indicate presence in various habitats where host plants are available.
Biology and ecology
Larvae of O. provocans feed on plants belonging to the genus Cissampelos as well as on Adenia gummifera. Details of the species’ full life cycle, behavior, and ecological interactions are documented in regional lepidopteran surveys and taxonomic works.
References
- Walker, F. (1858). Original species description.
- African Moths database.
- Hampson, G. F. (1894). The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma: Moths (Vol. II).
- De Prins, J. & De Prins, W. (2018). Afromoths online database.
Note: Information presented reflects currently available reliable sources; no speculative content is included.