Erionota thrax
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Author: Scot Nelson
Source: Flickr
Erionota thrax (Linnaeus, 1767) - (banana skipper)
This species of skippers is common in south-eastern Asia and parts of the Pacific. It causes leafrolling on banana plants and outbreaks can result in significant damage, with up to 50% of the leaf area being destroyed. The leafrolls are around 15 cm long and used as a shelter and feeding site by the larvae. Coconut and other palms may be also attacked.
E. thrax is one of the larger species of skippers and adults have a wingspan of around 7 cm. The wings are brown with 3 yellow marks on the forewings. The larvae have a cream to pale green colour with a black head. For pupation, the larvae leave the leaf rolls and the pupae hang down the leaf. Both larvae and pupae are covered by wax secretions. The development from egg to adult moth lasts around 6 weeks.
Erionota thrax can be confused with Erionota torus, a species which can be also a pest of bananas, has a similar biology, and a partly overlapping distribution range.
