About Olene mendosa Hübner, 1823
This species, Olene mendosa, shows sexual dimorphism and has multiple variable colour morphs across sexes. Females have a wingspan of approximately 46–54 mm, while males have a smaller wingspan of 30–40 mm. Adult males have two distinct colour morphs: the common morph is smoke brown, with uniformly brown forewings and pale greyish hindwings. The forewings of this common male morph bear black specks and a pale patch located outside the subbasal line. Adult females also have two forms, each with an areole on every forewing. Unlike males, females do not have the white forewing portions found in male moths. The common female form has an irregular longitudinal dark brown zone in the center of the forewing, while the rarer female form has overall pale colouration. The underside of the wings is similar in appearance in both sexes, with less distinct markings. Full-grown caterpillars of Olene mendosa measure 38–44 mm in length. They are hairy, with four white or brown dorsal tussocks. Their body is greyish brown, and their head, legs, and prolegs are crimson-reddish. Full-grown caterpillars also have red stripes on the head. Pupation takes place inside a silk cocoon that the caterpillar spins between the leaves of its food plant.
