About Sceliodes cordalis (Doubleday, 1843)
Sceliodes cordalis (originally published as Leucinodes cordalis), commonly known as the poroporo fruit borer or eggfruit caterpillar, is a species of moth belonging to the family Crambidae. It was first described by Henry Doubleday in 1843. This moth is found in New Zealand, Australia, and Indonesia (specifically Sulawesi). Within Australia, it has been recorded on Norfolk Island, and in the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. The forewings of this species measure between 13.5 and 15 mm in length. In New Zealand, this species has two generations per year, while it may have more generations annually in Australia. The larvae feed on a range of plant species: Solanum melongena, Solanum muricatum, Solanum aviculare, Solanum lycopersicum, Solanum esuriale, Solanum americanum, Solanum tuberosum, Capsicum annuum, Datura wrightii, and Datura stramonium. Larvae bore into the fruit of their host plants to feed on the flesh and seeds inside.
