Hylesia nigricans
AKA: black butterfly or burning moth
Abbreviation: N/A
Black butterfly is present in: southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
Black butterfly is a pest of the followiong plants: maple (Acer), holly (Ilex), hornbeam (Carprinus), borage (Patagonula), Tipuana Tipu (Cesalpiniaceae – Tipuana), oak (Quercus), hickory (Carya), Ocotea (Lauraceae), acacia (Mimosaceace), eucalyptus (Myrtaceae), Campomansia, Tibouchina (Melastomataceae), plane tree (Platanaceae – Platanus), Salicaceae – Populus, Salix, quince (Rosaceae – Cydonia), Prunus, Pyrus, Malus, Caphoromoea, Nectandra.
Evidence of black butterfly damage includes: defoliation.
CBP Agriculture Specialists, please refer to manuals for general inspection guidelines.
The adult females lay their egg masses on various surfaces. The eggs are overlapped in layers consisting of up to 900 eggs, protected by a hemispherical yellow cocoon.
Agriculture Specialists should take extra precaution in looking at wood, lumber, and even vehicle surfaces and undercarriages, as well as other man-made objects. Recent findings of the egg masses in other countries were seen on newly built vehicles arriving in Australia.
The larvae can be up to 40–45 mm long with black and yellow bodies covered in urticating (or stinging) hairs, which cause irritation if they come in contact with your skin.
