- Source: Hypercompe ocularia
Hypercompe ocularia, the ocularia leopard, is a moth of the family Erebidae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
Description
This moth is a translucent-white colour, patterned with numerous brown, oval rings on the forewings.
Distribution
It is found in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. This is a cloud-forest species found at elevations between about 200–1000 m.
Biology
Moths of the genus Hypercompe are noxious to birds and exhibit warning colouration. When approached by a bird, these moths expose a coloured abdomen and exude noxious fluids as a defence mechanism.
References
Pitkin, Brian & Jenkins, Paul. "Search results Family: Arctiidae". Butterflies and Moths of the World. Natural History Museum, London.
