Nyctemera

Nyctemera is a genus of moths in the family Arctiidae.

It includes the species Nyctemera annulata and Nyctemera amica, which are closely related and are able to interbreed. They are medium sized moths, the adults having a wingspan of 35–45 millimetres (1.4–1.8 in). The wings are usually dark with lighter patches, while the body is often aposematically coloured to discourage birds and other visual predators from eating them.

The slow-flying moths can often be seen feeding at flowers; it is common around its preferred food plants of the daisy family, for example groundsel (and other Senecio spp.), ragworts and Cineraria. The colourful hairy larvae feed openly on the plants, often stripping off all the leaves. The mature larvae will sometimes wander from the plant to pupate. The loosely spun cocoon incorporates some of the larval hairs and may also be found amongst leaves.

Several species formerly placed here are now assigned to other genera. These include Utetheisa (containing Atasca, Pitasila and Raanya, erstwhile subgenera of Nyctemera), the revalidated Chiromachla, Podomachla and Xylecata, and the newly-established Afronyctemera.

• Magpie Moth (Nyctemera secundiana) found in Central Queensland, Australia

• Magpie Moth (Nyctemera annulata) caterpillar feeding on ragwort in Wellington, New Zealand

• Magpie Moth (Nyctemera annulata) cocoon

• Marbled white moth (Nyctemera coleta) from the Philippines