:: Wallpaper for September 2026 ::

: M O T H S :

Dear Friends,
Heterostegane subtessellata is a delicate geometer moth belonging to the family Geometridae, a group known as the inchworm moths, because of the distinctive looping movement of their caterpillars as they inch along stems and leaves.

The delicate tessellated, or tile-like, markings on its wings give this moth its species name subtessellata. This intricate pattern provides excellent camouflage against foliage and tree bark, helping it stay hidden from predators during the day.

Like many Geometridae, this moth is primarily nocturnal and is often attracted to lights at night.

The caterpillar has a beautifully practical trick for hiding in plain sight: when at rest, it lies stretched out flat along the midrib of a leaflet, blending perfectly into the leaf's own structure. It feeds on Acacia species, specifically Acacia catechu (Khair), Acacia pennata, and Mimosa rubicaulis - all members of the family Fabaceae, the legume family.

When ready to pupate, it fashions a loose, cosy cell of silk, tucking in fragments of leaflets and forest debris around itself.

This moth has been recorded across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, inhabiting forests and wooded landscapes where its Acacia host plants grow. Much of its natural history still remains to be documented, a quiet reminder that even in familiar forests, there are moths whose lives we have just begun to understand.

Regards,
Ketaki & Manasi
With Team oikos !
🐾
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