The moth Herochroma subspoliata (Prout, 1916) camouflaging with the lichen Porina cf. tetracerae (Ach.) Müll. Arg.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Insect-lichen associations are often shaped by ecological pressures with camouflage being the primary adaptive function especially among visually cryptic species. This study observed camouflage of Herochroma subspoliata Prout on Porina cf. tetracerae (Ach.) Müll. Arg. hosted by Elaeocarpus serratus L. in Kerala, India. This moth, belonging to the subfamily Geometrinae and tribe Pseudoterpnini (Geometridae), exhibits a vivid green wing coloration with fine reticulated patterns that mimic specific crustose lichen commonly growing on the bark of its host tree. Such crypsis is a classic anti-predator strategy particularly effective against visually hunting predators in forested habitats. Members of the genus Herochroma are largely distributed in subtropical and tropical Asia with species-specific microhabitat preferences often reflecting their dependency on lichen-rich substrates for diurnal resting. This association underscores the importance of habitat complexity and microhabitat fidelity in geometrid moth ecology.
Authors: Jithu Unni Krishnan, Siljo Joseph, Vadakkethil Balakrishnan Sreekumar, Kunnath Radhakrishnan Rakhi, Pulipparambil Ravindranath Rejil Krishna, Kundungal Nambrath Sangeetha
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416998793